Xavi was candid in his post-game evaluation, expressing disappointment with his team’s performance. That mattered nothing to Xavi, who saw Barcelona trail Inter by three points with two games remaining.
Despite leading 1-0, Barcelona struck late to salvage a point at home against Inter, ensuring two seasons without Champions League knockout competition.
What has Xavi said after FC Barcelona’s poor show against Inter Milan?
Their chances of reaching the UCL knockout stages and avoiding relegation to the UEFA Europa League are currently hanging by a thread. Xavi stated After the game: “The truth is that this Champions League is being cruel to us. From Munich, through Milan and tonight, we deserved more”.
Xavi also said, “If you don’t beat Inter at home, you don’t deserve to stay in this competition”. “Last season we didn’t have enough to compete, but this season we did. This time it was our mistakes”.
“I’m very disappointed, sad, frustratedā¦ I’m angry. I have to be self-critical, we don’t deserve to play in the Champions League. It hurts me, but it’s the truth”.
He also added, “The first half was excellent, we only conceded a chance to [Edin] Dzeko, we went into the break satisfied, but we conceded too much in the second half, we made serious defensive mistakes that are very expensive in the Champions League. Itās not just about attacking, itās also about defending”.
The former Spain international also emphasised the disparity in intensity between the two halves. He said, “We should have kept up the pace, the intensity of the first half and we didnāt”.
Is FC Barcelona’s hope still alive for Champions League?
Barcelona presently sits third in Group C with four points after four games. Bayern Munich leads with 12 points, while Inter is second with seven. Viktoria Plzen is the last team standing with nil points.
To advance for the UCL knockout stages, the Blaugrana must win both of their remaining matches against Bayern and Viktoria Plzen. Furthermore, they require Inter to lose their remaining games.
If the Italian giants win their next UCL game against Plzen on October 26, Barcelona will be officially eliminated from Europe’s elite championship.
