FC Barcelona manager Xavi said their defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final is difficult to digest.
Barcelona were at the receiving end of a 4-0 thumping by Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg. The Catalan outfit had gone into the game with a 1-0 win in the first leg. However, it was Real Madrid who emerged triumphant on the night with a sensational win over their El Clasico rivals.
A goal from Vinicius Jr on the stroke of halftime sent Real Madrid ahead before Karim Benzema scored a second-half hat-trick to secure their passage to the final of Copa del Rey.
Speaking after the match, Xavi said that Barcelona competed well in the first half but conceded that Real Madrid were the better side after the interval.
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Xavi: Copa del Rey Defeat to Real Madrid ‘Difficult to Digest’
“It’s difficult to digest,” Xavi said [via 90min]. “We were doing well, but we lost order after the second goal, maybe [it was down to] maturity, we have a lot of very young players. Madrid have these things. Without playing well, they have the lead at the break.
“If we had taken the lead, maybe it would have been different because we competed well in the first half. In the second half, Madrid were better. I said they were the favourites [before the game]. They’re the Champions League holders. They are a great team.
“I told the players that this is Madrid. That you dominate the game, create chances and you’re losing 1-0 at half-time. Football is a game of moments and Madrid takes advantage of their moments well. We saw it last season in the Champions League.
“Our moment was the first half. They were better in the second half, physically, pressing and in transitions. If you don’t kill them off, they kill you. There is nothing else for it but to congratulate them for the result.”
Barcelona’s exit from Copa del Rey has ended their hopes of a domestic treble this season. Barcelona have already won the Spanish Super Cup title this season. The Catalan outfit could still win another trophy this season as they are the favourites to lift the La Liga title.
Barcelona enjoys a 12-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title.
