Barcelona’s Champions League campaign came to a very disappointing end on Tuesday, as they were knocked out 6-4 on aggregate by Paris Saint-Germain. The Catalans had been 4-2 in the tie after taking an early lead in the second leg at the Estadi Olimpic, before four unanswered goals sealed their fate.
In the aftermath of that defeat, head coach Xavi Hernandez laid the blame at referee Istvan Kovacs, who sent off Ronald Araujo in the first half for a last man challenge. However, when he spoke to the media ahead of El Clasico (via MD), he admitted that a lot of the blame falls on him and his players.
“We weren’t good. We made mistakes, I made mistakes, too. We have to be self-critical. We’ll be back in the Champions League and we’ll be competing again.”
On the match against Real Madrid, Xavi is confident that his Barcelona side can secure victory, which would close the gap in the La Liga title race.
“It’s the most important game. You have to win to put pressure on. If we win, we would be five points behind. I think about a positive scenario, about winning. My thinking is positive. We’re going to go out and win the game.”
amartious2000
1
Self critic is the first to revival in any endeavour.
Boobcintyz
1
i said it before and ill say it again. the decision to leave was to take the pressure off the team and it worked. they had an incredible run since the annoucment. his players are young and he needed to take the pressure of the press off them and give them a collective goal. XAVI IS THE COACH WE NEEDED SINCE ERNESTO VALVERDE. He is the coach to bring us back to where we belong. i hope he stays....
suzadlmpsy
0
Barca and Xavi have no chance at all
Spheg
1
my brother don't blame the referee just blame xavi to concede another red card when we needed him most he stylishly ran off the pitch. very embarrassing
am not blaming the referee, referees are conducted by certain laws of the game... what am tryna say is: these laws or rules are too strict
Annieboi
0
simple and straightforward. we must just respect the game, even though sometimes we are really unlucky and careless in most situations, bt that's just part of the game. It goes for any other team. and we also have to understand these unwanted reactions from coaches against referees decisions sometimes because it just mixed feelings of passion, things not going ur way and maybe u lose u fired. referees need to go easy on these situations. even players get booked for reactions 🚮
my brother don't blame the referee just blame xavi to concede another red card when we needed him most he stylishly ran off the pitch. very embarrassing
Spheg
1
simple and straightforward. we must just respect the game, even though sometimes we are really unlucky and careless in most situations, bt that's just part of the game. It goes for any other team. and we also have to understand these unwanted reactions from coaches against referees decisions sometimes because it just mixed feelings of passion, things not going ur way and maybe u lose u fired. referees need to go easy on these situations. even players get booked for reactions 🚮
vaucdimsz
1
I trust you to do it