Barcelona are a team that are used to finishing in first place but now must find the motivation to ensure they end the season second behind Real Madrid in La Liga and qualify for the Champions League, the manager Xavi Hernández said.
The 1-0 defeat against Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou on Sunday marked the first time Barcelona had lost three successive home games and all but sealed the league for their rivals Real Madrid.
Real Madrid now need only one point from their last five games to secure the title, while Barcelona are second on 63 points, level with Sevilla. Barcelona were also eliminated from the Europa League this month, when they lost 3-0 at home against Eintratch Frankfurt.
“We were all fired up with the great run in the league and the Europa League,” Xavi told reporters. “I understand it’s not as motivating for the fans and players to fight for second place. But we have to be in the Champions League, we want to hear the Champions League music next season.
“There is a lot at stake. In Barcelona’s history it’s about coming first, but we have to understand and motivate ourselves to finish second.”
The home defeat by Rayo followed the Camp Nou loss against Cádiz, leading to heavy criticism in the media. “Disaster!!!” the Catalonia daily newspaper Sport screamed on its front page on Monday.
Barça are also in danger of missing qualification for the Champions League entirely, as only six points separate them from Betis in fifth as the battle to finish in the top four and secure a place in the top European competition intensifies.
The Copa del Rey champions will host Barcelona in two weeks looking to close the gap further. Barça will have a difficult time against Betis, who are motivated after winning the cup final on penalties last Saturday, their first title in almost 20 years.
Atlético Madrid are fourth on 61 points and even Real Sociedad, sixth on 55 points, are still in play with five games to go.