Pedri throws support behind Xavi after recent criticisms

Barcelona midfielder Pedri has leapt to the defence of head coach Xavi following their downturn in form this season.

The Blaugrana are on the verge of being eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage for a second season running and were beaten 3-1 by rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico recently.

After a promising end to the 2021/22 campaign and then mortgaging their future to spend more freely in the summer transfer window, Xavi is now under pressure to turn Barcelona's season around.

Speaking to Marca, Pedri insisted his boss' recent struggles is not down to new expectations or pressures and that he is doing a good job.

"I think that being Barça and playing the way we were playing, it's normal that expectations were high. Being a club like Barcelona, ​​you have to choose to win everything and go for all the games and rivals. And that is what they wanted to do. But it didn't happen. Now we have to continue in La Liga, there is still a lot of competition left," he said.

"Whenever there are bad results almost everyone is criticised. I think it's difficult to be Barcelona coach, but I think the coach is doing a very good job. He has helped us young people a lot, he knows what it is to be a footballer because he has lived it. It is very nice to see how he helps us. He gives us advice. Hopefully he can be with us and win big things and titles.

"I think every [coach] has helped me a lot. Pepe Mel made my debut in Las Palmas; [Ronald] Koeman, in Barcelona: Luis [Enrique], in the national team. And Xavi is also giving me a lot of confidence and is teaching me a lot. Everyone has really helped me and I wouldn't know who to stay with."