Club captain Sergio Busquets on Thursday acknowledged that while FC Barcelona were “angry” after their Europa League exit, they would ensure it did not affect their domestic form.
Xavi’s side saw their European exploits come to an end for the season after they let a one-goal lead slip at Old Trafford to lose 1-2 to Manchester United.
With Erik ten Hag’s men taking a 4-3 aggregate victory across both legs, it marks another disappointing end to a continental campaign for the Blaugrana.
Barca remain top of Spanish LaLiga and in the hunt for Copa del Rey success though, and while Busquets touched on the sting of defeat, he was adamant they would be fine.
“In terms of spirit, it does take its toll,” he said. “We are angry, but the team is aware of where that comes from.
“We are good in the league, but in Europe, we lack that little point. We must aspire to win everything. We are on the right path, and I’m sure [this] won’t take its toll on the team.”
Defeat in the Europa League marked a second exit from a continental competition this season, with Barca having dropped into the second-tier competition from the UEFA Champions League.
In a group that also included Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, they only managed a pair of wins over Viktoria Plzen.
But Busquets shut down suggestions this latest result represents a similar failure.
“They have been different eliminations,” he added. “In the Champions League, a lot of things happened that were incredible. We weren’t good in some games.
“Today (Thursday) is different. This was a tie against one of the best teams in the English Premier League. Defeat could happen.”(dpa/NAN)
