MY ACCOUNT
Xavi felt Barcelona’s progress took “a step backwards” with their 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, even if he felt his side deserved to win the match.
Barca enjoyed the better of the first half in Tuesday’s Champions League group game at the Allianz Arena without managing to put away any of their chances.
Former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski had five shots alone in the first half, equating to an expected goals return of 0.54, compared to 0.3 for the home side combined.
But two goals in the space of four minutes early in the second half from Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane proved the difference as Bayern beat Barca for a fifth game running.
Barca’s nine Champions League losses against Bayern are more than double the number they have suffered against any other side (four versus Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea).
The defeat in Bavaria was Barca’s first of the season in what was their seventh game in all competitions, but Xavi did not believe the scoreline told the full story.
“We were better than Bayern today,” he told Movistar+. “We forgave them too much, whereas they do not forgive – that is the difference.
“We had six or seven very clear chances. Their first goal came from an error in marking a corner; the second is also an error on our behalf.
“The first half today was totally ours and the result does not reflect what happened, but the Champions League is like that. If you forgive then you end up paying for it.”
Bayern attempted just four shots in the first half, compared to nine in the second, with only 231 seconds separating Hernandez and Sane’s goals.
Barca have dropped to second in Group C after two rounds of matches, three points behind Bayern and level with Inter, whom they now face home and away.
“We have to focus on the positives from this game and keep working as we look forward,” Xavi added. “This is a step backwards, but we leave here with an undeserved defeat.”
