Xavi Reacts To The Brutal 4-0 Defeat To Real Madrid At The Camp Nou.

Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez has reacted to the disappointing defeat, as Real Madrid thrashed his team 4-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg tie on Wednesday night at the Spotify Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana were without four key players, Ousmane Dembele, Frenkie De Jong, Pedro and Andreas Christensen, but Xavi did not want to use their absences as an excuse for the outcome of the game.

They have won all three El Clasico's already contested this 2023.

Real Madrid  looked second-best for the opening 45 minutes, but a stunning counter-attack capped off by a Vinicius Junior goal saw them level the tie in first-half injury time.

Karim Benzema took over in the second half, scoring the first hat-trick for a Real player at the Camp Nou since 1963, as the European champions eliminated Barcelona from the Copa del Rey on a 4-1 aggregate win and would face Osasuna on May 6.

The cup exit for Barca follows eliminations from both the Champions League and Europa League earlier this season, but they have already won the Super Cup in January, and have one hand on a first LaLiga title since 2019.

Speaking after the game, Xavi admitted that the second goal Barcelona conceded against Carlo Ancelotti's men after the half-time killed his team.

“In the first half, we were very good, but we didn't take advantage of it. We should have stopped their counterattack for their first goal,” the Spaniard said as per MD.

“The second just after halftime killed us. We have to be self-critical and continue.

 “It would sound like an excuse if we talk about injuries. We competed very well in the first leg and in the first half. I feel proud about that. I already said that Real Madrid were the favourites. They’re the recent Champions League winners.... He added.

“Congratulations to Real Madrid, who have put together a great second half and competed very well. It's no coincidence that they have won the Champions League, they have a great team.

“If we win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup it will be a good season. If we win those two titles, what happened today won't tarnish the season.

He also said that his team will now focus on winning the LaLiga title.

“We are hurting today, it will be hard to sleep after the loss, especially as the fan that I am. But from [Thursday] we think about Girona. We have lost in the semifinal of the Copa, but now we focus on LaLiga.” 

Barcelona return to action on Monday night when they welcome Girona in the La Liga. They currently have 71 points, that's a 12 points lead ahead of second place Real Madrid after 27 round of matches.