Xavi: Real was the better team, we have no excuse

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez admitted he was finding it hard to swallow the 4-0 loss to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. According to him, his team did not take advantage of their opportunities and were punished for it.

"When you play such equal teams, you have to take your chances. We didn't do that in the first half and they did it in the second. They were the better team, we have no excuse. We will take this loss hard. The second goal hurt us badly, the penalty too. It's the little details. We didn't take our chances. Even before the game I said that Real remain favourites.

They are the winner of the Champions League after all," said Xavi. "We fought until the very end. In the first half we were good, but as I said before, football is decided by the important moments, and we didn't take advantage of them. We are disappointed not to play in the final, but we have to show respect to Real Madrid," the coach added.

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