Barcelona has just been kicked out of the 2021-2022 Copa del Rey after being beaten 2-3 by Athletic Bilbao in the round of 16, Friday (21/1/2022). Disappointed was clearly felt by the coach Xavi Hernandez, but he did not want to dissolve in sadness because he felt that Barcelona could still win the Spanish League and Europa League.
The Bilbao vs Barcelona match was fierce from the start. Athletic Bilbao’s opening goal was scored by Iker Muniain in the 2nd minute which was then successfully equalised by Ferran Torres in the 20th minute.
Then Bilbao took the lead again through Inigo Martinez in the 86th minute, almost ending the match with a score of 2-1. But Pedri equalised again for Barcelona in added time.
Read also: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona results in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey 2021-2022: Lose 2-3, Blaugrana Dropped Faster
The match continued in extra time. In the first half Muniain scored his second goal from the penalty spot to make it 3-2. This score lasted until the end of the game.
With this Los Leones -the nickname of Athletic Bilbao – managed to secure a place in the quarter-finals. They followed in the footsteps of Mallorca, Cadiz, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Real Madrid who qualified first.
Xavi did not deny that his opponent’s game was very difficult to penetrate. He acknowledged the greatness of the team managed by Marcelino Garcia Toral.
“I think Athletic played a great game. It’s difficult for us to move forward. They defended really well, with great intensity,” Xavi said at a press conference after the match, quoted on the Football Espana website, Friday (21/1/2022). “They excel in duels. They are very strong for me. It was difficult for us. Pedri’s goal gave us chances for extra time but then came the decisive penalty.”
Finally, Barcelona is getting worse this year. After being confirmed to have been thrown into the Europa League, they are also still entrenched in sixth place in the 2021-2022 Spanish League standings. That is the main focus for Xavi. “We tried, but things didn’t work out for us. But we have no choice but to continue to believe in this project.
We have to believe in La Liga and the Europa League. I don’t know any other way to do the job,” he added. A series of bad results in fact is being felt by Barcelona. Even so, Xavi is reluctant to give up and believes he can help the Blaugrana become even better over time.
