The Barça coach has recognized that they must make an important self-criticism after being eliminated from Europe again
He assures that now they must focus on the two remaining competitions, “very important for the club”
Xavi Hernández has not been able to hide his tremendous disappointment at being eliminated at the first exchange of the Europa League against Manchester United. Barça still does not measure up in Europe, where in recent years it has not stopped accumulating failures. At the Spotify Camp Nou and at Old Trafford, the team has competed against one of the fittest teams on the continent, but the Catalans have not been able to control those small details that penalize so much in European competitions.
“It is a very big disappointment. The matches in Europe are decided by small details and we have not controlled them. That is why we are out”, he acknowledged. The new setback forces the team and the club to reflect because it is so difficult for Barça to return to being a team with important aspirations in European competitions. “The feeling is that we have been much better than last season, but we have lost against Bayern, Inter, Manchester. We have not made the grade. We have to try to be more competitive and make an important self-criticism to try it the season that comes”, has commented.
Xavi regretted the equalizing goal, which he considers was key for United to go up and Barça began to suffer more after a great first half. “The first goal hurts us. In the divided balls and in the duels it has cost us. They are a very intense team. At the Camp Nou and here the tie has been very even and at times we have been very good but it could not be “, he lamented.
The Barça coach did not want to reproach his players too much. “It’s a shame because the team has shown its face and deserved more. They are physically very strong, Shaw won the match on the second goal and after two rebounds it came to Antony. We could have dominated the game more”.
Finally, he explained that what they must do now is turn the page soon because the challenges ahead are key. “The only positive thing is that on Sunday we already have a game and we have to focus on Almería and on Thursday on the Cup semifinal. There are two titles left and we want to win them because they are very important for the club”, he concluded.