Xavi 'Disappointed' By FC Barcelona’s Elimination From Europa League

Xavi Hernandez has termed FC Barcelona’s elimination from the Europa League a "very big disappointment."

Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Barcelona 3-2 in the second leg quarter-final clash on Thursday and progressed to the semi-final on an aggregate of 4-3.

Filip Kostic's penalty and Rafael Borre's superb strike were followed by another goal from Kostic after the break. The game turned tense when Sergio Busquets netted an extra-time goal before the Catalans received a penalty and Memphis Depay successfully scored from the spot.

Barcelona, who were on a 15-match unbeaten streak, failed to find an equalizer before the final whistle at Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Kostic is the first player to score and assist in a single European game against Barcelona at Camp Nou since Juninho Pernambucano for Lyon in March 2009 in the Champions League, according to Opta Jose.

"This is a very big disappointment, a real shame because we wanted to win this competition but we have to congratulate Eintracht, they deserved to advance to the semis and we didn’t do well. We didn’t play like we have recently, that is why we’re out," Xavi said after the match, according to Barca Blaugranes.

Barcelona's head coach stated that even though his side had the possession, they made many mistakes and that cost them the game.

"We tried, but our problem was the football. We had possession but we didn’t take advantage of it, our mistake. It was a fateful night. We made many mistakes, their second goal comes from a turnover, the penalty was an error, and in the third goal, we are pressing one side of the pitch and allowed them to move to the other. It was something we talked about and cannot happen. We have to be self-critical, we didn’t do well and that’s why we’re out," added Xavi after the game.

As things stand, Barcelona are set to finish the 2021-22 campaign without a trophy. Even though they are second in the La Liga table, Sergio Busquets’ Barcelona are 12 points behind leaders Real Madrid with just eight games left in their campaign.

"Now we have to recover the players and continue to compete. We play Cadiz on Monday, the league is what’s left and we have to keep going. We cannot move away from the path we were on, we have to believe in what we’re doing. We have played great games, but losses are also part of football. If this is a failure, and I don’t want to use that word, we will learn more from our mistakes. This loss must make us believe in our ideas more, it’s a matter of time and patience," Xavi further explained.