Xavi has claimed that La Liga remains as strong as the Premier League, despite his Barcelona side being one of three Spanish teams to be knocked out of the Champions League at the group stages this season.
Barcelona knew their fate before they even kicked off against Bayern Munich, with Inter Milan’s 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen earlier in the day meaning that Xavi would be managing in the Europa League for the second consecutive season.
They have been joined by Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, both of whom were also knocked out of their respective groups and into the Europa League knockout pathway.
Official: FC Barcelona are in the Europa League 😳 pic.twitter.com/K3yEMMwMad
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) October 26, 2022
And, with a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich leaving them with just 1 win from their five attempts this campaign, and Xavi was quick to point out that it was a matter of pride that cost them as much as anything.
“We didn’t fight and it’s the first time I’ve had this feeling. Today we were not good and this feeling affected us psychologically. In the team talk we tried to say that it was a matter of courage and pride and it didn’t materialise”, the Barca boss explained after the game.
However, he added, he still expects his side to be competitive, with the Camp Nou outfit currently sitting just three points adrift of Real Madrid in La Liga, and having plenty still to play for this season.
“I really think that La Liga is at the same level as the Premier League”, the Spaniard added.
With the Premier League currently having three of its four Champions League sides certain of progression, and Tottenham’s fate in their own hands, the English top flight currently has the upper hand in that regard, but Barcelona’s squad is more than good enough to hold its own.
