Barcelona coach Xavi insists it wasn't his plan to send Eric Garcia away on-loan to Girona this season.

Before Girona's victory on Sunday, it broke that Barca had failed to include a 'fear clause' in the deal, so allowing Eric to face them yesterday.

After the 4-2 thumping, Xavi later complained: "f it were up to me, he would have stayed with us.

"The loan has gone very well for her and he plays without pressure. It is not the same to play in Girona as in Barça."

He also said: “Girona has a lot of merit in what they are doing. It is the leader of the standings and has a seven-point advantage over us. Much deserved. I think the work that both Míchel and the Girona players are doing is spectacular. I congratulate them."