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The round of 16 of the soccer Champions League is likely to take place without FC Barcelona. Robert Lewandowski saved the Catalans from early elimination with his late goal. Nevertheless, the chances of progressing are slim.
The Catalans saved themselves to a 3: 3 against Inter Milan on Wednesday, but are still three points behind the second-placed Italians, for whom the better direct comparison would speak in the event of a tie. "This Champions League is very cruel”, admitted the coach of Barça.
“We conceded a lot in the second half. The first one was great again. He was cruel from Munich, through Milan and now too. We deserve better, but this is the Champions League. We had to play the game in the first half, with that intensity and rhythm.
We have to row forward”, argued the Egarense. “Football is a game of mistakes and today we didn’t defend well. In the first part the intensity was great. We had to move on and we paid dearly for the mistakes.
Very serious mistakes that cost us the game”, assumed the coach.
Lewandowski saves a mini-chance for the Catalans
Barcelona took the lead through Ousmane Dembele (40th), but had to fall behind twice after Inter goals from Nicolo Barrella (50th), Lautaro Martinez (63rd) and Robin Gosens (89th).
Lewandowski was able to avert an early elimination with his goals to make it 2-2 (82nd) ​​and 3-3 (92nd). The Pole, with ManCity's Erling Haaland and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, leads the "premier class" shooter list with five goals, he is not to blame for the current situation.
“Maybe the process in Europe is longer than we think,” he even said and took responsibility for releasing his players. “I think the approach was good. Perhaps I failed to convey the intensity in the second part.
If the defense fails, I fail too. If Piqué or Busquets fail, I fail as a coach. I take full responsibility”, although he admitted that “we have discussed these second line entries from Barella”, referring to the 1-1 play.
Continuing his analysis, Xavi Hernández says “We found a lot inside and outside. We controlled the game, in a very good first half. And secondly, we are convicted of mistakes. With the first goal we fell apart and the second cannot happen in this football. Two mistakes kill us”, underlined the Barça coach.