Barcelona to ‘turn the page’ on Champions League, Xavi still foresees ‘great season’

Xavi has called on Barcelona to “turn the page” after their Champions League disappointment as he still believes they can deliver a “great season”.

The Blaugrana were eliminated from Europe’s elite club competition in midweek, with Inter’s victory over Viktoria Plzen sealing their fate even before a 3-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich.

Barca paid the price for taking only a point from their double-header against Inter, who followed Bayern into the last 16.

The Catalan giants had invested heavily in the transfer market – despite their financial difficulties – to try to ensure there would be no repeat of last season’s group-stage exit, but Xavi’s side still fell short.

However, sitting second in LaLiga and only three points behind leaders, champions and rivals Real Madrid, the Barca coach is ready to retrain his focus on a successful domestic campaign.

“In the Champions League, we have made our assessments, [about] what we have lacked but also that we had it in our hands,” Xavi said before Saturday’s game against Valencia.

“Now it’s time to turn the page. Tomorrow is one of those moments in the season to react.”

He added: “I’m still positive. It’s been a blow, but we can have a great season. There are many titles left.

“In LaLiga, we are in a good dynamic against strong rivals. It is another test to show a reaction and pride.”

With Barca already certain to fall into the Europa League before the Bayern match, Xavi suggested “the psychological part weighed a lot”.

Failure in Europe will surely increase pressure on the coach’s position, but he confirmed he had spoken to president Joan Laporta to analyse what had gone wrong.

“With the president, we talk continuously, practically for every game,” Xavi said. “We see each other after the games. The diagnosis is clear: there are things that have not depended on us, and we must improve those things that do depend on us.”

He added: “I think in Munich we saw a good Barca, this one also against Villarreal, Athletic, Real Sociedad, Sevilla; I think you are seeing things.

“I want to believe that we are on the way. I’ve experienced it as a footballer: we can’t get off track. And if we don’t arrive [at the best level], another coach will come.”