Xavi laments lack of cutting edge

FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández admitted his team's UEFA Champions League hopes foundered on their lack of a cutting edge in attack.

'No end product'
Frank Rijkaard's team went down 1-0 at Old Trafford in the second leg of their semi-final against Manchester United FC last night. Including the goalless first-leg draw in Spain, it was their fourth successive game without a goal and Xavi lamented: "We created chances but there was no end product." After enjoying 61 per cent of possession in the first leg, Barcelona had the lion's share again at Old Trafford (58 per cent). For all their pretty patterns, however, the final ball was too often lacking as they struggled to create clear openings inside the United penalty box.

Missed opportunity
Xavi added: "We've missed an opportunity to make history. It's hard to understand because we created a lot of openings but the goal just didn't come. If you don't score you don't go through and that has cost us. We were better at keeping possession and creating chances, but it was not enough. We had the chance to win the Champions League but once again, we've not achieved our aim." This was Barcelona's fifth semi-final defeat in the European Champion Clubs' Cup and the third time in four seasons their dream of continental success had ended on English soil.

'Wouldn't go in'
The Barcelona captain, Carles Puyol, offered a similar assessment to Xavi, albeit more succinct: "We worked hard over the two legs but the ball just wouldn't go in." Champions of Europe two years ago, Barcelona are now resigned to a second consecutive season without silverware and Puyol admitted: "When you don't win a trophy, it's not a good season." Third in the Primera División, the Blaugrana were also semi-finalists in the Copa del Rey. "We realise that in the cup and the Champions League we didn't do badly, but we have been poor in the league," he added.

'Heads held high'
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes insisted they had departed the competition with their "heads held high" having lost just one of 12 matches this term. He also gave credit to United, saying: "They played very well over the two games, especially defensively." However, midfielder Deco admitted this disappointment would likely prompt a prolonged post-mortem back in Catalonia. "For a club like this, it is difficult to go two years without winning anything. Everyone has to take some share of the blame, we have to reflect on what has happened so that the same thing doesn't happen next year."