"We lost competition within the squad due to injuries to key players such as Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Edmilson and others," Begiristain told Spanish daily Marca.

"The players should generate competitiveness so that no one believes he is guaranteed a place in Barcelona squad. What we need now is to have to compete again.

Frank Rijkaard's men have been inconsistent lately, slipping to third place in the Primera Liga table with 24 points, three adrift of Villarreal and four behind leaders Real Madrid.

Txiki doesn’t think the Primera Liga runners-up need to change their style of play despite their disappointing results away from home.

"With this style we have won titles. It is necessary to play well, not change the tactics. We had players that allowed us to do that and we still have players to allow us to it.

"It has been a system that everyone likes and there is no reason to change it.

"We have to be focused as we have not been good enough away from home and, at times, at Nou Camp," he added.