Xavi will face questions after more Champions League disappointment for Barcelona (Picture: Getty Images)
Xavi Hernandez says Barcelona do not deserve to be in the Champions League, despite his side still being in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Those chances are hanging by a thread after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Inter Milan at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night, which leaves Barca third in Group C.
Bayern Munich are making a mockery of the ‘Group of Death’ tag as they sit top with four wins from four, with Inter on seven points and Barcelona with just four from four games.
With clashes against Bayern and bottom side Viktoria Plzen to come, Barca could still scrape into the last 16, but Xavi already thinks they have proved they don’t deserve it.
Barcelona took the lead against Inter on Wednesday, then fell behind, equalised, but finally needed a stoppage time equaliser from Robert Lewandowski to pinch a point after a very ropy defensive display which angered the manager.
‘I’m very disappointed, sad, frustrated, I’m angry,’ said Xavi after the match, via Barca Universal. ‘I have to be self-critical, we don’t deserve to play in the Champions League. It hurts me, but it’s the truth.
‘I apologise to the fans because we made the mistakes, we had set our minds not to fail, and we have failed, so we have to apologise to the fans, who have been wonderful. I want to tell them that we will work to turn this situation around and win titles.’
Barcelona are top of La Liga, so it is not all doom and gloom, but they will not be full of confidence when they take on Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday.
‘Let’s hope that today’s game doesn’t affect us for El Clasico in terms of mentality, the players have given their all today,’ said Xavi. ‘The goal for this season is still the same, to win trophies.’
MORE : Barcelona eyeing up Chelsea duo with contracts expiring next summer
MORE : Atletico Madrid re-sign Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona on permanent deal
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
‘It hurts me, but it’s the truth.’