MX23RW : Monday, September 30 22:21:12| >> :120:16872:16872:

Joan Laporta publicly backs Xavi after Champions League exit

Joan Laporta publicly backs Xavi after Champions League exit
© Reuters
Barcelona president Joan Laporta publicly backs manager Xavi after La Blaugrana are eliminated from the Champions League group stage for the second year running.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has given Xavi a public vote of confidence after the Blaugrana crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages.

The Catalan giants will be playing Europa League football for the second season running after Inter Milan's 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen ended their wafer-thin hopes of a knockout berth in Group C.

Barcelona needed the Czech side to pull off a shock win over the Nerazzurri before they took to the field against Bayern Munich, but their fate was sealed before they kicked off at Camp Nou.

In any case, the Blaugrana were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by the German champions and are guaranteed to finish third in the group, having taken just four points from five games.

Xavi's men have gone winless in four Champions League games since beating Viktoria Plzen 5-1 in the opening matchweek, and they now face a dead rubber away to the Czech champions next week.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta pictured on August 5, 2022© Reuters

The early elimination from Europe's top tier is another damaging blow to Barca's volatile financial situation, but Laporta gave Xavi his backing when speaking to Barca TV after Wednesday's disappointment.

"The result is a shame, but you cannot blame the players or the coach for anything. We have to look forward because we have La Liga and other competitions left to look ahead to," Laporta said.

"This is a young project in which from the beginning we knew we were going to have ups and downs. The league remains and we have to show that we continue. La Liga is very important and we are in the race. The message is to look forward. This has already happened."

Barcelona now prepare to compete in the Europa League knockout round playoffs to face one of the group runners-up, which could potentially pit them against the likes of Arsenal or Manchester United depending on what transpires on the final matchday.

Xavi admitted after the game that Inter's win over Viktoria Plzen affected the mood in the camp, as Barca went out to face Bayern knowing that their efforts would mean nothing in the context of the group standings.

Barcelona manager Xavi pictured in September 2022© Reuters

"We have to face reality. I said that we had to grow through hard blows, we have to keep going. We say goodbye to the Champions League, a blow that forces us to be self-critical," Xavi told the press.

"I understand that people are talking about failure, but we have analysed everything. We have made many mistakes, but in the other games we have competed to deserve something more.

"Barca didn't compete today, we didn't reach Bayern's level. Bayern were better today, they played more intensely and aggressively. The truth is that knowing that we had already been eliminated from the Champions League before the game against Bayern has affected us a lot.

"The truth is that this year, unlike the last, I felt like we had the squad to win this tournament. What happened is unacceptable. In Munich, we were better than Bayern and we didn't take advantage of that. I was affected after the match in Milan. The refereeing decisions were unfair and so was the result."

Barcelona will aim to push their European disappointment to one side when they return to La Liga action against Valencia on Saturday, with Real Madrid currently three points clear of Xavi's men at the top of the table.

ID:498058:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4881:

Click here for more stories about Joan Laporta

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Ansu Fati celebrates scoring for Barcelona on September 10, 2022
Read Next:
Ansu Fati 'ready to leave Barcelona over lack of minutes'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Joan Laporta Xavi Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bills
10-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona87012591621
2Real Madrid85301761118
3Villarreal85211715217
4Atletico MadridAtletico8440124816
5Athletic Bilbao8422128414
6Mallorca842286214
7Osasuna84221213-114
8Real BetisBetis833287112
9Rayo Vallecano824298110
10Celta Vigo83141515010
11AlavesAlaves83141112-110
12GironaGirona8233911-29
13Sevilla8233810-29
14Real Sociedad822467-18
15Getafe814356-17
16Leganes814359-47
17Espanyol8215712-57
18Valencia8125513-85
19Real ValladolidValladolid8125417-135
20Las PalmasLas Palmas8035916-73


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!