Xavi: Luck not been on our side

Barcelona midfielder Xavi lamented his side's lack of luck at key times this season as the Catalan giants sit ten points adrift of leaders Real Madrid. "This ten-point difference comes down to details. At key moments when it was double or quits luck wasn't on our side," said the Spanish international. "But we're going to battle until the end, La Liga is still not lost." The midfielder acknowledged that "unconsciously" Barça had "perhaps taken their foot off the pedal" slightly. "We're always competitive but unconsciously the team may not have realised it and slackened off," he said. Barça have failed to win seven away fixtures, a weakness not shown in previous seasons. Uncertainty also surrounds the future of coach Pep Guardiola, whose contract expires at the end of the season, with Xavi insisting that he wants him to remain at the Catalan side. "I'd love Pep to renew his contract, he's the key element to this machine and hopefully he will sign an extension." Xavi dismissed speculation linking himself to a coaching role with Barça. "Leave me alone, let me play. I'm not thinking about anything else but playing football. And besides, I don't even have a coaching diploma," he added.