Barcelona players stand in dejection as they applaud fans at the end of the Champions League Group C soccer match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (AP Photo / Joan Monfort)
Barcelona players stand in dejection as they applaud fans at the end of the Champions League Group C soccer match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (AP Photo / Joan Monfort)
Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard celebrates after scoring the third goal . Getty
Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard celebrates after scoring the third goal . Getty
Benjamin Pavard scores Bayern's third goal. Getty
Benjamin Pavard scores Bayern's third goal. Getty
Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane scores his team's first goal past Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Barcelona. Getty
Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane scores his team's first goal past Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Barcelona. Getty
Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates. Reuters
Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates. Reuters
Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring. Getty
Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring. Getty
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scores Bayern's second goal. Getty
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scores Bayern's second goal. Getty
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez after Bayern's second goal. AP
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez after Bayern's second goal. AP
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting of Bayern Munich celebrates with teammates. Getty
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting of Bayern Munich celebrates with teammates. Getty

Sport

Football

Barcelona face 'reality' after defeat to Bayern and another early Champions League exit

Xavi urges players to quickly regroup following 3-0 loss at Camp Nou

Jon Turner

October 27, 2022

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Xavi said Barcelona have to face up to "reality" after their disappointing Champions League campaign was ended in the group stage for a second successive season on Wednesday.

Barcelona were already eliminated from Group C before a ball had been kicked against Bayern Munich at Camp Nou, following Inter Milan's 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen earlier in the evening.

Despite the circumstances, it was still a poor performance from Barca, who fell to a 3-0 defeat to Bayern after goals from Sadio Mane, Eric Choupo-Moting, and Benjamin Pavard.

It means for a second straight year, the Catalans have dropped into the Europa League, although this season's campaign will feel a greater disappointment than 12 months ago.

Xavi, appointed last November, inherited a mess from predecessor Ronald Koeman as Barcelona contended with spiralling financial problems which resulted in the departure of several key players, including Lionel Messi.

This year, though, Barcelona entered the competition with high hopes following a summer that saw seven new arrivals - including the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha - and more than €150 million spent, while their early domestic form suggested a deep Champions League run might be possible.

"This is our reality and we have to face it. Maybe that's what we needed, to be given a beating in order to grow," Xavi said.

"Today it was already over, too late to do anything. The main reason that we got to this situation was because of our own mistakes in the previous games, we failed to be effective up front.

"We go out with a really bad feeling but we need to reset and reconnect to fight for the other trophies left."

Barcelona v Bayern player ratings

BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 5. Beaten by Mane after 10 and the ball went through his legs as Choupo-Moting scored the second. A night to forget against his compatriots as Barcelona lost for the sixth successive time (scored four, conceded 22) against Bayern Munich. Tipped a Mane shot over on 94, but Pavard made it 3-0 after the resulting corner. AFP
BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 5. Beaten by Mane after 10 and the ball went through his legs as Choupo-Moting scored the second. A night to forget against his compatriots as Barcelona lost for the sixth successive time (scored four, conceded 22) against Bayern Munich. Tipped a Mane shot over on 94, but Pavard made it 3-0 after the resulting corner. AFP
Hector Bellerin – 4. Outsprinted by Mane, who’d stayed onside, for the opening goal. Kept Choupo-Moting onside for the second. Quick feet but muddled understanding with Dembele. He did stop what looked like Bayern’s third on 43. EPA
Hector Bellerin – 4. Outsprinted by Mane, who’d stayed onside, for the opening goal. Kept Choupo-Moting onside for the second. Quick feet but muddled understanding with Dembele. He did stop what looked like Bayern’s third on 43. EPA
Marcos Alonso – 5. Chastening evening at the back as he struggled under pressure and his side slipped to a first home defeat of the season, he nonetheless got forward to support attacks. Getty
Marcos Alonso – 5. Chastening evening at the back as he struggled under pressure and his side slipped to a first home defeat of the season, he nonetheless got forward to support attacks. Getty
Jules Kounde – 6. Fourth straight game as a central defender, he’s establishing himself in the position he was bought for after an early uncomfortable run at right back. Getty
Jules Kounde – 6. Fourth straight game as a central defender, he’s establishing himself in the position he was bought for after an early uncomfortable run at right back. Getty
Alejandro Balde – 7. Excellent this season, the ball sailed over him and Gnabry for what he thought was Bayern’s third but it was offside. Neat. Getty
Alejandro Balde – 7. Excellent this season, the ball sailed over him and Gnabry for what he thought was Bayern’s third but it was offside. Neat. Getty
Frenkie De Jong – 6. He would’ve played Europa League football had he gone to Manchester United – and he’ll be playing it with Barcelona now for a second successive season. Reuters
Frenkie De Jong – 6. He would’ve played Europa League football had he gone to Manchester United – and he’ll be playing it with Barcelona now for a second successive season. Reuters
Sergio Busquets – 4. Turned well in the middle, clattered by Goretzka – who was booked. Busquets was booked himself on 41. Spooned Barca’s best shot over and outclassed in the middle. Will he play another Champions League game for Barcelona? Reuters
Sergio Busquets – 4. Turned well in the middle, clattered by Goretzka – who was booked. Busquets was booked himself on 41. Spooned Barca’s best shot over and outclassed in the middle. Will he play another Champions League game for Barcelona? Reuters
Franck Kessie – 4. Ineffective against a side who Xavi admitted were “more intense.” Needs to do more to become a regular. Getty
Franck Kessie – 4. Ineffective against a side who Xavi admitted were “more intense.” Needs to do more to become a regular. Getty
Pedri – 6. Played in a more attacking role out on the wing, but his side were deflated before kick-off with the news that they were already out of the Champions League. AFP
Pedri – 6. Played in a more attacking role out on the wing, but his side were deflated before kick-off with the news that they were already out of the Champions League. AFP
Robert Lewandowski – 7. Hit by a heavy challenge from De Ligt early on and was fouled by the same player and thought he’d won a penalty on 44. VAR overturned it. Tried to do everything in the second half. Off to applause from both sets of fans on 83, but he didn’t manage a shot on goal. AFP
Robert Lewandowski – 7. Hit by a heavy challenge from De Ligt early on and was fouled by the same player and thought he’d won a penalty on 44. VAR overturned it. Tried to do everything in the second half. Off to applause from both sets of fans on 83, but he didn’t manage a shot on goal. AFP
Ousmane Dembele – 6. Barca’s most exciting player in recent weeks, he had his work cut out against the adept Bavarians. And so he’ll play Europa League football once more. "We haven't been up to the competition,” said Xavi. “But except for today's match, we have competed, it's the big difference compared to last year." A fit and firing Dembele can make a difference for the titles Barca are still fighting for this season. AFP
Ousmane Dembele – 6. Barca’s most exciting player in recent weeks, he had his work cut out against the adept Bavarians. And so he’ll play Europa League football once more. "We haven't been up to the competition,” said Xavi. “But except for today's match, we have competed, it's the big difference compared to last year." A fit and firing Dembele can make a difference for the titles Barca are still fighting for this season. AFP
SUBS: Ferran Torres (Busquets 58’) – 6. Lively and a threat, but another forward who didn’t manage a shot on target. Things must get better but Xavi said: “Honestly, I think we can win titles this season. I'm not deceiving anyone. The difference compared to last season is that we had it in our hands. My speech does not change, we have to fight for titles." AP
SUBS: Ferran Torres (Busquets 58’) – 6. Lively and a threat, but another forward who didn’t manage a shot on target. Things must get better but Xavi said: “Honestly, I think we can win titles this season. I'm not deceiving anyone. The difference compared to last season is that we had it in our hands. My speech does not change, we have to fight for titles." AP
Raphinha (Pedri 59’) – 5. He’s been poor for a month and lost his place in the side. Little that he did against Bayern is likely to change that. His crosses were easily dealt with. AFP
Raphinha (Pedri 59’) – 5. He’s been poor for a month and lost his place in the side. Little that he did against Bayern is likely to change that. His crosses were easily dealt with. AFP
Eric Garcia (Kounde 67’) – 4. No more goals went in with him on the pitch, though he twice lost the ball and the case for him being a first-choice central defensive starter is a slim one. AFP
Eric Garcia (Kounde 67’) – 4. No more goals went in with him on the pitch, though he twice lost the ball and the case for him being a first-choice central defensive starter is a slim one. AFP
Ansu Fati (Dembele 67’) – 6. Brought energy and a shot within two minutes. It nearly went on target, but his side didn’t manage a single effort on the Bayern goal. AFP
Ansu Fati (Dembele 67’) – 6. Brought energy and a shot within two minutes. It nearly went on target, but his side didn’t manage a single effort on the Bayern goal. AFP
Pablo Torre (Lewandowski 83’) – N/A. The young striker got stuck in. AP
Pablo Torre (Lewandowski 83’) – N/A. The young striker got stuck in. AP
BAYERN MUNICH PLAYER RATINGS: Sven Ulreich – 7. The Bayern No 2 goalkeeper was largely untroubled as Barcelona failed to register a shot on target. AFP
BAYERN MUNICH PLAYER RATINGS: Sven Ulreich – 7. The Bayern No 2 goalkeeper was largely untroubled as Barcelona failed to register a shot on target. AFP
Alphonso Davies – 8. Looked a threat when driving forward and proved dangerous when overlapping with Mane on the left. AP
Alphonso Davies – 8. Looked a threat when driving forward and proved dangerous when overlapping with Mane on the left. AP
Matthijs De Ligt – 8. Strong and physical against Lewandowski. Thought he conceded a penalty and received a card after making a vital interception which brought down the Pole, but both were rescinded after referee Anthony Taylor went to the monitor. AFP
Matthijs De Ligt – 8. Strong and physical against Lewandowski. Thought he conceded a penalty and received a card after making a vital interception which brought down the Pole, but both were rescinded after referee Anthony Taylor went to the monitor. AFP
Dayot Upamecano – 6. A solid performance in defence. Carded for a late challenge on Pedri in the first half and was substituted for Pavard. AFP
Dayot Upamecano – 6. A solid performance in defence. Carded for a late challenge on Pedri in the first half and was substituted for Pavard. AFP
Noussair Mazraoui – 6. Plenty of strong tackles from the right-back and he got back well against Dembele to clear a dangerous counterattack. Carded in the first half after taking out Balde, conceding a free kick in a dangerous area. Reuters
Noussair Mazraoui – 6. Plenty of strong tackles from the right-back and he got back well against Dembele to clear a dangerous counterattack. Carded in the first half after taking out Balde, conceding a free kick in a dangerous area. Reuters
Joshua Kimmich – 8. Dominated the midfield and was positioned well to mop up masterfully. EPA
Joshua Kimmich – 8. Dominated the midfield and was positioned well to mop up masterfully. EPA
Leon Goretzka – 6. Carded after just 23 minutes for a foul on Busquets and, after some late challenges, the German was withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Sabitzer. AFP
Leon Goretzka – 6. Carded after just 23 minutes for a foul on Busquets and, after some late challenges, the German was withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Sabitzer. AFP
Sadio Mane – 8. His pace and pressing were vital to Bayern’s first-half performance. Scored the opener within the first 10 minutes, placing the ball past Ter Stegen after beating Bellerin in a foot race. Could have had a second goal in the closing stages, but his effort was tipped over the bar for a corner. EPA
Sadio Mane – 8. His pace and pressing were vital to Bayern’s first-half performance. Scored the opener within the first 10 minutes, placing the ball past Ter Stegen after beating Bellerin in a foot race. Could have had a second goal in the closing stages, but his effort was tipped over the bar for a corner. EPA
Jamal Musiala – 6. The teenager could have made it 3-0 before the break, but his near-post shot was saved by Ter Stegen. EPA
Jamal Musiala – 6. The teenager could have made it 3-0 before the break, but his near-post shot was saved by Ter Stegen. EPA
Serge Gnabry – 9. Showed his quality with a hat-trick of assists. Had a goal chalked off by VAR after a neat left-foot finish, but the winger was offside. Reuters
Serge Gnabry – 9. Showed his quality with a hat-trick of assists. Had a goal chalked off by VAR after a neat left-foot finish, but the winger was offside. Reuters
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – 8. The in-form striker, so used to being Lewandowski’s understudy, made up for an early miss with a smart finish through the legs of Ter Stegen to make it 2-0. Replaced by Muller for the closing half hour. AFP
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – 8. The in-form striker, so used to being Lewandowski’s understudy, made up for an early miss with a smart finish through the legs of Ter Stegen to make it 2-0. Replaced by Muller for the closing half hour. AFP
SUBS: Marcel Sabitzer (Goretzka 46’) – 6. An assured performance in the middle of the park after coming on to replace Goretzka at the break. Getty
SUBS: Marcel Sabitzer (Goretzka 46’) – 6. An assured performance in the middle of the park after coming on to replace Goretzka at the break. Getty
Thomas Muller (Chuopo-Moting 63’) – 6. Introduced as an experienced head to see the game out. Getty
Thomas Muller (Chuopo-Moting 63’) – 6. Introduced as an experienced head to see the game out. Getty
Benjamin Pavard (Upamenco 63’) – 7. A composed finish in the fifth minute of added time to round up the scoring. Reuters
Benjamin Pavard (Upamenco 63’) – 7. A composed finish in the fifth minute of added time to round up the scoring. Reuters
Ryan Gravenberch (Musiala 67’) – 5. Replaced Musiala and provided some energy in the midfield. EPA
Ryan Gravenberch (Musiala 67’) – 5. Replaced Musiala and provided some energy in the midfield. EPA
Josip Stanisic (Mazraoui 79’) – N/A. EPA
Josip Stanisic (Mazraoui 79’) – N/A. EPA

Barca began encouragingly with a 5-1 opening-round win over Viktoria Plzen but successive defeats at Bayern and Inter left them playing catch-up, before the 3-3 draw at home against Inter left their hopes hanging by a thread.

The Champions League setback also comes after Barca surrendered top spot in La Liga following the 3-1 defeat at Real Madrid in the clasico, but Xavi has urged his team to quickly regroup and focus on the rest of the season.

"That game against Inter was the one that hit me the hardest, that was when we lost control of our own fate and I thought it was really cruel for our team," he said.

"But we need to stick together, our fans were great tonight, it was great to see more than 85,000 at Camp Nou supporting us till the end. Bad thing we didn't show up on the pitch.

"There are still other tournaments to play. It's a hard blow but we need to be self critical to be able to win those titles."

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French business

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Updated: October 27, 2022, 6:46 AM`
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