FC Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez, has praised his team’s performance following their 3-2 loss to Real Madrid, marking his third consecutive defeat against their arch-rivals this season.

In the highly anticipated match held at Santiago Bernabéu, FC Barcelona took on the Spanish La Liga leaders, Real Madrid, in their 32nd league game of the season.

Despite initially taking the lead, FC Barcelona ultimately succumbed to a comeback from Real Madrid, resulting in a disappointing defeat for the visitors.

Throughout the game, Barcelona maintained the majority of possession (54 percent) and produced more shots than their opponents. However, their efforts were not enough to secure a victory, dealing a significant blow to their title aspirations.

Vinicius Junior equalized for Real Madrid in the 18th minute after Andreas Christensen’s early goal for Barcelona. Despite Fermín López briefly restoring Barcelona’s lead in the 69th minute, Real Madrid staged a late comeback, with goals from Vázquez in the 73rd minute and Jude Bellingham in injury time.

Reflecting on the match, Xavi expressed pride in his team’s second-half performance, acknowledging their efforts despite the defeat. He noted that mistakes ultimately proved costly for Barcelona but emphasized that, based on the overall flow of the game, they deserved a better outcome.

Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory extends their lead at the top of the Spanish La Liga table to 11 points over second-placed FC Barcelona, highlighting the uphill battle ahead for Barcelona in the title race.