Xavi: 'Generational change' is evident in his incredible Barcelona return.

 Xavi: 'Generational change' is evident in his incredible Barcelona return.

 

Coach Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona claimed that his team's amazing comeback victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday was a result of the shift in societal generations.

At the Olympic Stadium, Barça overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Celta 3-2 with goals from Robert Lewandowski twice in the final 10 minutes and Joo Cancelo in the 89th.

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Barcelona's late comeback made them the only LaLiga side to triumph after trailing by more than one goal in the 80th minute in the previous 14 seasons. Teams throughout that time period were 0-17-1,963 when down by multiple goals in the final ten minutes of a game.

"It was a spectacular comeback," Xavi stated at a press conference after Barça rose to the top of the LaLiga standings after going undefeated in six games this season. Real Madrid's matchup with Atlético Madrid is on Sunday.

"Up until the very end, we truly believed. We played bravely and with faith. It was a comeback motivated by a desire to prevail. These attributes are necessary when you play poorly.

"We were taking increasing amounts of chances, leaving two at the back, and every other guy on the field was an attacker. We had to take chances, and it worked.

"This demonstrates the generational shift in our society. Despite being down 2-0 at home, [the players] continue to play to the bitter finish.

"Today is a major turning point for our victorious character," said Gavi, [Alejando] Balde, and Lamine [Yamal]. Although we haven't performed well, this game is about heroic character and faith.

Jörgen Strand Larsen's goal for Celta gave them the lead in the first half, but Anastasios Douvikas' strike 10 minutes from time silenced the home crowd and appeared to give the visitors an unexpected victory.

However, Cancelo's and Joo Félix's goals for Lewandowski made it possible for a wonderful Gavi cross to set up Lewandowski's stunning winning goal.

Midfielder Gavi, who came on for the injured Frenkie de Jong in the first half, was singled out by Xavi as being instrumental in the turnaround.

Xavi singled out the midfielder Gavi, who came on in the first half to replace the injured Frenkie de Jong, as being the driving force behind the turnaround.

The coach continued, "If we had to pick one person to personify the comeback in, it would be Gavi." But it was a group effort. Barça typically doesn't recover from a hammer blow like the [Celta] goal in the 80th minute.

Without the outstanding play of Barça goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who produced many crucial saves, Celta might have been out of reach in the second half.

Rafa Benitez, the coach of Celta, claimed in a press conference that "people would have said it was fair" if the game had finished 4-2 in favor of us. "As has happened in past games this season when we have worked hard, we leave with the sentiment that this won't happen again.

"At the end, I told the players they should be angry and displeased because we lacked a purpose in the last few minutes to slow down the game and avoid the situations they created,"

Despite the joy of the victory, Xavi acknowledged that Barça still has a lot to work on in terms of performance.

The Barça manager said, "I agree with everything [Benitez] said." "We have to compete better and act with more intention. When we lost the ball, we struggled to press. We could have lost, and we'll take it as a lesson.

"The victory tastes great, but it doesn't compare to [the 5-0 victories over Real] Betis and Antwerp because that's where we're going. The strategy is to play well in those games and improve ball circulation. The team endures significant loss when our intensity wanes.

The success of Barça was however marred by De Jong's ankle sprain, who early estimates indicate would be sidelined for more than a month, according to sources who spoke to ESPN.

"We need to see after the tests on Sunday," Xavi stated. He is a powerful player who doesn't play around. There is a reason if he is asked to leave. Hope it's not too bad.