Gerard Pique (L) and Philippe Coutinho at the end of Barcelona's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich that sent them packing from the Champions League
Gerard Pique (L) and Philippe Coutinho at the end of Barcelona's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich that sent them packing from the Champions League

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has expressed disappointment over his side's exit from the Champions League following their 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Barcelona have been dropped down to the Europa League, the second-tier European competition but Xavi believes his side does not belong there.

With Benfica registering a victory over Dynamo Kyiv, Barcelona needed to defeat Bayern Munich in order to advance to the knockout stage. Unfortunately, goals from Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala meant Barcelona suffered a loss at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

The Catalans have failed to make it to the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2003-04 when they did not qualify for the competition at all.

"Bayern were better, superior. This is the harsh reality we have to face. I have told players that this is a turning point. Today a new era begins and we have to take Barca where it deserves which is not the Europa League," Xavi said after Barcelona's Champions League exit, Sky Sports reported.

Barcelona managed to score only two goals in their six group-stage matches in this term's Champions League, which is their lowest recorded tally in the top European competition.

"We are going to face this reality with all the dignity in the world and work to bring Barca back to where we deserve to be, which is not the Europa League. It really annoys me to face our reality, I am angry. Barça does not deserve this. I feel responsible for the outcome, I thought we could qualify but it has not been like that. Anyone who tries never fails," Xavi reportedly said in an interview with Spanish TV.

The former Barcelona captain went on to say that his side will aim to win every game in the Europa League and win the title this season.

"Our Europa League challenge? We have to win it, win every game and title," added Xavi in the interview with Spanish TV.

Gerard Pique (L) and Philippe Coutinho at the end of Barcelona's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich that sent them packing from the Champions League

Photo: AFP / Christof STACHE

Now the whole focus is on La Liga, where Barcelona currently stands seventh, with 23 points after 15 matches. Xavi's side is 16 points behind leaders Real Madrid.