KEY POINTS

  • Barcelona defeated Celta Vigo 1-0 on Sunday
  • Pedri scored the only goal of the game at Camp Nou
  • Barca's next match is against Inter Milan on Wednesday

FC Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has insisted his side needs to involve Robert Lewandowski more in their game.

Xavi's comments came Sunday after Barcelona's close 1-0 win over Celta Vigo in La Liga.

Lewandowski, who made a $48 million move from Bayern Munich to Barcelona this summer, started life at his new club on a high note, scoring 12 goals in his first nine competitive appearances. But he has now gone without a goal in two straight games.

Moreover, he did not get many chances against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou on Sunday.

"We need to get Lewandowski more involved in the game. Lewandowski was uncomfortable in the second half; frustrated because the team did not find solutions. I still think he played a good game," Xavi told reporters after the match.

Robert Lewandowski enjoyed a dream Champions League debut in a Barcelona shirt

Barcelona's young midfielder Pedri netted the only goal of the match in the first half. But the visiting side came close to scoring an equalizer on several occasions in the second half.

"We have to improve, we have to be self-critical. The first half is good, the intensity was good, we created a lot of chances and have to kill the game off. If we get the second, it all changes. We were not good in the second half. We let Celta press. Maybe it was tiredness, fatigue. Psychologically we dipped and they had two or three clear chances on the counter," added Xavi in the same interview.

With the latest victory, Barcelona reclaimed their top spot in the La Liga table. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have 22 points each after eight games, the former is at the top because of a superior goal difference.

"It's a huge win but we have to be the team of the first 30 minutes moving forward. If we play like we played in the second half today, it will be difficult to beat Inter. Now I am preparing for Inter. We have to savor these three points because they are important to keep us on top," Xavi said further.

With two losses in three games, Barcelona are already on the verge of elimination from the Champions League. Xavi and Co. have a massive test ahead as they host Inter Milan in a must-win fixture Wednesday. Following this, Barcelona will travel to the Spanish capital to take on Real Madrid in the much-awaited El Classico. The winner of the match will hold the top position in the La Liga table.