Xavi: The fate has given us the toughest opponent again. We are not lucky

Barcelona failed to make the Champions League group stage for the second time in a row and were relegated to the Europa League. They certainly had their sights set on overall triumph in the competition, only to be thwarted by Manchester United. And Xavi complained a bit about the lot.

After the summer transfer window, Barcelona were hoping to fight for Champions League glory again. But even star reinforcements couldn’t push the Catalans into the Champions League eighth round.

So the Europa League banners will be unfurled at the Camp Nou again in the spring after a year. And thanks to the quality of the team, Barcelona are among the main favourites to win the trophy.

But the big blow came. The draw in Nyon, Switzerland, gave Barcelona the toughest possible opponent. Lewandowski and co. will take on Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Erik ten Hag’s team is slowly picking itself up after a crazy start to the season and there is even more time until February to transform the squad in its own image.

“We are not lucky with the lottery ticket. It has given us the toughest possible opponent… again,” Barcelona coach Xavi complained at a press conference.

“The Champions League has been cruel to us, but we are also unlucky in the losses. You point out the toughest team and they draw you. It’s a challenge for us, the players will be very motivated,” Xavi added.

“Barcelona has never won the Europa League. So it’s a big challenge for us, we have no choice,” the Catalan coach thinks.

Source: MARCA, Barcelona