Being required to be self-critical won't erase the positives Barcelona manager Xavi took away from his team's eighth straight league victory on Sunday.
The head coach of Barcelona, Xavi, acknowledges that he must be "self-critical" about his team's recent decline in quality, but he is adamant that they will "see the positives" after beating Celta Vigo.
The Blaugrana extended their winning streak in LaLiga to seven games with a 1-0 victory, moving them back to the top of the standings on goal differential ahead of Real Madrid. Pedri's deft first-half strike was enough to secure the victory.
A setback to Inter in the Champions League has only made matters worse for Barca, who appear to be losing their early bullish zeal between this recent result and a similarly tight victory against Mallorca.
Speaking afterwards, Xavi acknowledged he was less than satisfied with his team's latest drop in temperament, but still highlighted the vitality of their ability to earn big results with unrewarding form.
"I have to be very self-critical today," he told DAZN. "The first half was good. In the second half, we stopped applying pressure; psychologically, we dropped off.
"It is important to take three points when you are not good though. We have won seven games in a row. You have to see the positives. Until an excellent performance arrives, you have to save these matches."
With El Clasico looming for likely control of the title race, Xavi seemed less pressed about concerns over form though, suggesting the all-encompassing nature of the fixture balances out both Madrid and themselves.
"El Clasico, it is unpredictable," he added. "Last year, we arrived on the back of a bad run of form, and yet we won 4-0. We will try to win and show personality, like we did last time."