Barcelona manager Xavi calls for players to change mentality after blown chance to boost La Liga title hopes

A 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano saw the team need an own goal just to take a point

Despite the return of Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona's title hopes are fading fast after a 1-1 away draw to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Unai Lopez's goal was cancelled out by a Florian Lejeune own goal in the 82nd minute which sees Barcelona now have failed to win three of their last five matches in all competitions. Barcelona's away form has been a concern in La Liga with Xavi's men already drawing four matches away from home to teams lower in the table.

While injuries have been an issue for Barcelona with Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Sergi Roberto all sidelined for the match, they don't tell the full story for why the club has dropped points as Xavi mused over things following the defeat.

"We lacked that mentality to go for it. If we want to win trophies this season, we have to change our mentality," Xavi said about the match. "The second half was good but not enough. We woke up too late. We did what we wanted: dominated and created chances. We could have scored more. But we have to win these games if we want to win La Liga, so we have to be self-critical, too, and improve. We have to be closer to the second-half performance."