KEY POINTS

  • Lewandowski scored a brace in Barcelona's 3-3 draw against Inter
  • With 4 points, Barcelona are placed third in Group C
  • Ousmane Dembele also scored for Barcelona on Wednesday

An angry Xavi Hernandez said his side FC Barcelona "did not deserve to stay in the Champions League" after they drew 3-3 to Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Barcelona are on the verge of getting eliminated from the Champions League for the second consecutive season. The latest draw means Barcelona are still placed third in Group C of the 2022-23 Champions League. The Catalans have four points, seven behind leaders Bayern Munich and three behind second-placed Inter.

Out of the four group games this season, Barcelona have managed just one win, drawing one and losing two.

"If you don't beat Inter at home, you don't deserve to stay in this competition. Last season we didn't have enough to compete, but this season we did. This time it was our mistake. I'm very disappointed, sad, frustrated... I'm angry. I have to be self-critical, we don't deserve to play in the Champions League. It hurts me, but it's the truth," Xavi said in a post-match interview on Wednesday, according to Goal.

Xavi, who took over Barcelona's charge in the middle of last season, went on to add that his side should correct their mistakes and also continue to "persist and believe."

"We're depending on another team to go through. They are our mistakes, we have to improve them. That's the reality. The [improvement] process is longer than we thought in Europe. There are other competitions, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Super Copa. We have to insist, persist, and believe. When you draw at home with these fans, with this atmosphere, it is my fault. I am angry. My feeling is that this competition has been, and is still being, cruel with us," Xavi told reporters.

Robert Lewandowski scored twice but Barcelona are on the brink of a second straight group-stage exit
Barcelona are on the brink of Champions League elimination for a second consecutive season AFP

Barcelona took the lead just before half-time Wednesday when Raphina collected the ball well before threading through for Sergi Roberto, who adjusted it for Ousmane Dembele to send it to the back of the net. The celebrations across Camp Nou did not last long as Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella netted an equalizer soon into the second half.

A few minutes later, Argentinian forward Lautaro Martinez put the visiting side back in the lead.

However, Robert Lewandowski came to Barcelona's rescue when his header fell back to his feet and his deflected effort went past Inter Milan's goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Inter took the lead again as Onana cleared quickly for Martinez, who squared for Robin Gosens to score in the 89th minute. It was not the end for Barcelona as yet as Lewandowski collected Eric Garcia's cross from the right and headed past Onana to keep Xavi's hopes alive for the moment.

Barcelona's upcoming game is a big one as they will travel to the Spanish capital to take on Real Madrid in El Classico on Sunday in La Liga.

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