Hansi Flick demanded Barcelona show their quality on a more consistent basis after they stumbled to a 2-2 draw at Real Betis, leaving them vulnerable at the top of LaLiga.
Barca twice took the lead at the Benito Villamarin Stadium via goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, but Betis fought back through Giovani Lo Celso and substitute Assane Diao to earn a share of the points.
After the draw, Flick's side have 38 points from 17 matches but second-placed rivals Real Madrid, who have 33, can move past them if they are able to win their two games in hand.
"It wasn't a good game. We are a young team and we need to improve a lot," Flick told reporters.
"We must be stronger, especially when we play away. We have quality, but we have to show it in every game. We could have played better.
"But we've been slow in passing, with a lot of long balls... it's not what we want and not our strength. We have to focus on our strengths and what we have to do."
Flick was shown a red card in the second half for protesting after Betis were awarded a penalty, with the VAR stepping in to punish Frenkie De Jong's tackle on Vitor Roque.
The former Bayern boss believes he did nothing wrong but said he is not planning on appealing the red card.
"Marcus [Sorg], my assistant, did a good job. We scored a goal with him on the sidelines," Flick said.
"I didn't say anything to anyone, it was just my reaction. It took a long time to decide if it was a penalty or not.
"If you need so much time, it can be a doubt. I don't agree with my sending off. It has never happened to me before. I got angry at myself, not at anyone else."
Barcelona next travel to Germany for a Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, before hosting Leganes in LaLiga on December 15.