Xavi reveals Barcelona are experiencing 'very good sensations'

Barcelona head coach Xavi has praised his side's recent run of good form, revealing that there are 'very good sensations' flowing through the dressing room right now.

Xavi was appointed after Ronald Koeman received his marching orders back in November, finding his boyhood club languishing in ninth place in La Liga and a top-four finish looking unlikely.

But the former midfielder has turned fortunes around at Camp Nou, with Barça up to third in the standings with a game in hand on their rivals, while they are also progressing nicely in the Europa League.

Barcelona's latest win - a 2-1 victory at Elche - was the subject of controversy as the Blaugrana claimed a late penalty for a handball against Antonio Barragan, though the ball also appeared to strike the arm of Memphis Depay in the same motion.

Xavi's men trailed at the break, and the 42-year-old revealed that while he was angry with what his side had to show for their first-half efforts, was pleased to chalk up another win and discussed the positive vibes behind the scenes.

“I was angry at half-time because we didn’t deserve to be behind after what we had created. [Elche goalkeeper] Edgar was brilliant," he said. "I was annoyed, angry.

“But I was hopeful that if we attacked better, we would win. That’s what I told the players. I made a positional change [Ferran Torres came on] and it worked well for us.

“The sensations are very good. That’s four wins in a row. It’s a sign that we’re working well and that the players believe in what we are saying. The dynamic is good.”

Torres, who Xavi mentioned he turned to in order to seal the turnaround, was full of praise for his boss, hailing the head coach's tactical switches.

“Xavi made a great change,” Torres said. “We are playing with a style that we want and that the boss wants us to.

“We are continuing with good results. This [Elche] is a difficult stadium. I am very happy with the win. I am happy with my goal, to have helped the team to achieve the win."