Xavi, the manager of Barcelona, is optimistic that the team will be able to compete for major European honours next season, despite their recent early exit from the Europa League, marking their earliest elimination from any European competition in 25 years. This is the first time since the 1998-99 campaign that they have failed to reach the last 16 of any European competition.
Barcelona’s recent European performances have been disappointing, as they failed to progress from their Champions League group in the last two seasons, suffered a 4-1 defeat at home to PSG in the last 16 the year before that, and a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals in 2020.
Xavi acknowledges that the team needs to improve, but he remains optimistic that they will come back stronger next season. He believes that the team has already made progress this season by competing against Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Manchester United. Xavi also mentions that the absence of key players, Gavi and Pedri, was felt in the Old Trafford match, and that they struggled to manage the game despite leading at half-time.
Barcelona’s recent financial issues have also impacted their ability to compete in the transfer market, but Xavi hopes that the club will become more competitive in the summer transfer window, subject to Financial Fair Play restrictions. Despite the recent setbacks, Xavi remains optimistic and believes that Barcelona will be able to compete at the highest level of European football once again in the near future.