It was a tough defeat for Barcelona in Munich. The Blaugrana tried everything they could but Manuel Neuer and the post denied them. Xavi recognised in his press conference that his team were better but it was not enough to get the points. Laporta knew it too and decided to encourage the players.
He waited for them at the bus to greet them and recognise their effort. With Leandowski, the team’s star, he spent a few seconds chatting and gave him a hug and some pats on the arm.
Along with Laporta, Rafa Yuste and Enric Masip were there, who also spoke to Dembele. Xavi also waited for his players on the way out of the stadium.
The Polish striker, on his return to the Allianz, where he played for eight seasons, could not find the net despite having some good chances. He fired just over and Neuer made a good save from his header.