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‘Embarrassed’ – Xavi blames OWN fans for loss after Barcelona ticket holders gave up seats to 30,000 Frankfurt fans


BARCELONA boss Xavi has laid some of the blame for his side’s disastrous Europa League exit to Eintracht Frankfurt with his OWN fans.

Filip Kostic scored a brace to ensure the Germans will play West Ham in the semi-finals.

Barcelona boss Xavi is fuming as the Nou Camp appeared almost like a neutral venueCredit: Alamy
A reported 30,000 fans packed into the Nou Camp for a partisan atmosphereCredit: Getty
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo are fuming at what went on at the Nou Camp

The game had everything, with Barca giving themselves a chance with two goals in injury time at the end of the second half.

But Frankfurt, despite having Evan Ndicka sent off in the 100th minute, held on for a famous 4-3 aggregate win after they triumphed 3-2 on the night.

Speaking after the game, Barca boss Xavi was fuming that there were reportedly 30,000 Frankfurt fans inside the Nou Camp – the German club were only allocated 5,000 tickets.

Describing it as a “miscalculation”, he moaned: “I’ve tried to tell the players that the important thing is what happens on the pitch.

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“But logically this could have affected us. It’s very clear.

“We’ve tried to focus on the game and we’ve not been good. It has nothing to do with one thing and the other. It’s not an excuse.

“It hasn’t helped us, but on the pitch, we haven’t been good, and we haven’t competed.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said he was “embarrassed and ashamed” with the crowd fiasco.

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He told Barca TV: “Frankly what happened today makes me feel embarrassed and ashamed. There were many fans of the other team and not many of ours.

“I’m very sorry for what has happened.

“What we can avoid are certain situations but as of now, we will have to be much more strict. We can’t allow these situations to happen.”

While Barca were expecting huge backing at the stadium ESPN reported there were close to 30,000 Eintracht fans among the 79,468 crowd.

The Spanish newspapers are fuming with what played out in the Nou Camp.

Diario Sport ran the headline: “What a disappointment,” with a photo of the thousands of Frankfurt supporters.

Mundo Deportivo went with: “Kaputt in the Nou Kamp”, a clever reference to the German side “taking over” the home stadium.

Marca reported that there were 20,000 visiting fans, while AS estimated it to be around 25,000.

Frankfurt fans made the most of their night out in BarcelonaCredit: AFP
The number of Frankfurt fans who got into the Nou Camp has left the Spanish press shocked and angry
While ESPN reports there were 30,000 Frankfurt fans inside the stadium, Marca said it was more like 20,000
Barcelona were sensationally dumped out of the Europa League by Eintracht FrankfurtCredit: Reuters


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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