Barcelona faced Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the second leg of the last 16 already trailing by 4-1 from the first leg. They lost 5-2 aggregate but the score doesn’t do justice to the play put up the Blaugrana.
More from Everything Barca
- FC Barcelona tracking Belgian Wonderkid
- FC Barcelona vs Betis Player Ratings
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- Barcelona interested in €30 million wonderkid
The first half of the match showed Barca with most of the possession and displayed a team that wasn’t ready to throw in the towel despite the insurmountable odds. With more than 10 shots on target, but no goal, the finish was evading them.
After what many touted as an unfair penalty awarded to the French men, Kylian Mbappe had no problem finishing and giving PSG a 1-0 lead. Lionel Messi, who had already created so many chances but to no avail, seemed to remove his frustration with an impossible goal from 40 yards out equalizing the scoreline. Then, he missed a spot-kick in the first-half stoppage time, which set the tone for the second half.
Griezmann gets candid about Barcelona exit
According to an interview with Movistar(via Goal), Antoine Griezmann expressed his sentiments,
"“We don’t deserve to leave so soon in Champions League, neither do the fans, but that’s the way it is,”"
Obviously, the Frenchman is on point, after the disappointing loss despite putting up a great fight. The striker also told RMC Sport (via Goal),
"“They didn’t know how to defend.”“We played a big game, especially in the first half.”“We can have regrets about going there. It’s a shame but that’s how it is, this is football, this is the Champions League.”“We have [Messi], we have possession, we knew we were going to have chances but we didn’t know how to put them [away].”"
Meanwhile, Griezmann himself has not been the explosive striker he once was. The forward has put up quite a few lackluster games and has had his ups and downs in performances as well as appearances under Ronald Koeman. However, he denied being unhappy at Barcelona as is rumored.
"“Sometimes I am on the bench, sometimes I play 90 minutes,” he said. “I am at the service of the team. I’m trying to have fun and prepare well for the end of the season”"
Barcelona still have the La Liga and the Copa Del Rey final to look forward to and perhaps will be focusing on that after their exit from the UEFA Champions League.
Was Barcelona’s exit an undeserved one?