No regrets about leaving Barcelona despite good form – Xavi

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández says he does not regret his decision to step down at the end of the season following Saturday's convincing 4-0 win over Getafe at the Olympic Stadium.

Raphinha, João Félix, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López all scored as Barça moved into second place in La Liga, five points behind leaders Real Madrid, who face Sevilla on Sunday.

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Barca have now collected 13 points from a possible 15 in the league since Xavi announced his departure in the summer, with fans chanting his name throughout the second half of Getafe's victory.

Asked at a press conference if he regretted his decision given the team's improved results since then, Xavi replied: “No, it's the opposite.

“I think it's absolutely the right decision. The team has progressed since I made it and the players have shown the level they have. [against Getafe] and in previous games.

“I'm really grateful that the fans are chanting my name, but I'm convinced that my decision is the right one for the club. The fans have always been by my side and, from the bottom of my heart, I really appreciate it.”

Barca found joy behind the Getafe defense, with the visitors playing a high line, and it was an overhand ball that led to Raphinha's first-half opener.

Felix added the second goal after the break, heading home a cross from Andreas Christensen, who was again playing in midfield, while De Jong and López completed the scoring.

With Girona and Madrid yet to play this weekend, Barca finished the day in second place in La Liga, with Xavi saying such a performance was needed to help keep the pressure on the other teams in top of the ranking.

“We will not throw in the towel,” added the Barça coach. “We know we have to win every weekend. We have taken a step forward. There is a real chance to fight for the title.

“We are in good shape. Until there is no mathematical chance, we will try to keep the pressure on Girona and Madrid. We have to focus on our job, which is to win like we have done today, but we still have time. in La Liga and in the Champions League.”

Xavi has praised the “spectacular” Pau Cubarsí, as the 17-year-old continues to impress in front of Barca's defense and says he is the team's best centre-back at bringing the ball out.

He also applauded De Jong's performance at the end of a week in which the Dutch midfielder criticized the media for “lies” about his future, his contract and his salary situation at the Catalan club.

“Frenkie is very demanding, a perfectionist,” Xavi said. “He always wants to be 10 out of 10 in every game, but that’s not possible.

“But he is like that and that's why he plays at Barça. He is one of the best midfielders in the world. He can play any style of football. There are few like him. He's a guarantee. I'm very happy with him.”

Proving Xavi's point, De Jong criticized his performance against Getafe, with his goal the 11,000th ever scored by Barca in all competitions.

“I think today, with the ball, it was one of my worst games of the season, with the ball, like the passes and all that,” De Jong told LaLiga TV.

“It's true that I scored a goal and the action that led to another goal was good, but people watch too much football like that.

“For example, today I scored and with the fourth goal I was involved in the game and people think you played very well, but I think in general during the match I don't “I wasn't good. People think if you score you play well, but I don't. I don't see football that way.”