Champions League is being cruel to Barca - Xavi

Mueez Ajao

– Ousmane Dembele had opened the scoring in the 40th minute in front of a raucous home crowd of 92,302, but goals from Nicolo Barella and Lautaro Martinez turned the game on its head after the break.

– Robert Lewandowski drew Barca level again only for Robin Gosens to restore Inter’s lead on the counter-attack. Lewandowski equalised once more in stoppage time with his fifth goal in the competition this season, but it was too late for Xavi’s side.

– Defender Gerard Pique had switched off for Inter’s first goal, letting Barella run in behind to finish, while captain Sergio Busquets gave the ball away in the build-up to the second.

Also Read: Lewandowski keeps Barcelona’s UCL hopes alive

– “Football is a game of errors and you have to minimise them,” Xavi added. “We didn’t defend well. You pay a high price for mistakes in the Champions League. Errors in defence cost us the game.

– “But we are a team and if the team fails, I also fail. If Pique or Busquets or Pedri or Dembele slip up, I do too as a coach. It is my responsibility and I assume that blame.”

– Barca failed to make the last 16 of the Champions League last season for the first time since 2004. They now face missing out on the knockout rounds for the second year running.

– Xavi says the disappointment and anger are bigger this year because, following a summer of investment in the squad, Barca have the quality to progress further in the competition.

– “I am really disappointed, sad and a little angry as well,” the coach said. “Last season, the feeling was that we were not good enough, but this time it has been down to mistakes.