Xavi 'is under pressure at Barcelona with NONE of their boardroom chiefs backing him' and sporting director Deco publicly placing the blame for problems with a U-turn on players on his old team-mate

Barcelona boss Xavi is facing the heat at the Nou Camp after punishing back-to-back defeats, according to reports, with none of the clubs boardroom chiefs giving their support to the Spaniard. 

The Catalan giants are struggling to sparkle this season during a bid to retain their LaLiga crown. They are currently in fourth place after drifting seven points off league leaders Girona, who they were stunned by in a 4-2 home defeat on Sunday. 

And after another loss in the Champions League - beaten 3-2 by Belgian side Royal Antwerp - Xavi is now facing 'maximum pressure' and has not been backed by any of the club's six board members, according to Spanish outlet AS.

They include president Joan Laporta, Deco, Rafael Yuste, Joan Soler, Enric Masip and Bojan. 

With a trip to Valencia coming next, Xavi now knows that another defeat would leave him in a 'very weak position', the report adds, noting that Ronald Koeman was sacked in 2021 for being only six points behind leaders Real Madrid. 

It adds that the shock defeat to Girona 'did a lot of damage' and 'fueled the distrust of the team'. AS went on to say that Xavi is now 'more alone' and 'needs a demonstration of authority' after their latest loss to Antwerp or he will 'find himself in the abyss sooner than many thought'.

The signs look ominous for Xavi, whose former Barcelona team-mate Deco and now sporting director played coy when quizzed about last minutes changes to the squad, saying decisions were up to the coach. 

Initially, it was announced that Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan and Ronald Araujo would not travel to Belgium, with a place in the knockout rounds already guaranteed.

But it was later revealed that all three were added to the travelling party - with rumours that president Laporta had insisted they be included.

'It was decided that everyone would travel and whether Lewandowski plays is up to the coach,' Deco said. 'The calls are up to the coach, but nothing has been agreed upon with him.' 

After the game, Xavi admitted he was 'worried' by the team's poor form, saying the whole squad had to be 'critical' of themselves.

'Yes, I'm worried,' he said. 'It is normal.'

'The team isn't feeling comfortable. We have had a bad streak of negative results. We have to be critical. The opposition is generating a lot [of chances against] us and it is costing us too much. The positive point is that we are in the round of 16.

'On Monday we will be in the draw and top of the group, so we have to congratulate the team, who have done their homework. However, we need to get back to [playing] good football.'