Barcelona coach Xavi criticized his team after failing to take advantage of the opportunities it had in the 2-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, while Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann explained the secret of the recent decline in the level of striker Sadio Mane.
Bayern scored two goals within 4 minutes, to advance to the top of Group C, 3 points ahead of Barcelona and Inter Milan, who defeated Viktoria Plzen, bottom of the standings.
Bayern will play Viktoria Plzen in the next two matches, while Barcelona will play against Inter.
Barcelona took possession of the ball and shot 18 times, compared to 13 for the German team, but only 4 shots went towards the goal, the same number that Bayern achieved.
A dangerous first chance for Barcelona when Pedri hit his left side inside the area, which Neuer kept away with his foot.# Champions League # Barcelona # Bayern_Munich pic.twitter.com/dsdcgbXEbc
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) September 13, 2022
Xavi told reporters, "I'm angry, I don't like the loss, we didn't deserve it. Last year, I was angry because Bayern were more powerful than my team, but I think we did better than Bayern tonight. We controlled Bayern and beat them."
"We created many chances to score, which could have changed the course of the match. It is about the details in the Champions League matches. At this level everything is equal, and you pay the price for these mistakes, we learned the lesson," Xavi said.
Leva misses a dangerous opportunity in a strange way when he hits a ball away from Neuer's net.# European_Champions League #Barcelona #Bayern_Munich pic.twitter.com/E94eFfHCxO
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) September 13, 2022
Xavi indicated that his team needs to reduce its mistakes.
"We made a mistake in the corner kick, then a mistake in going back from attack to defense and we did not stop Bayern. On the contrary, (Bayern) succeeded in stopping our attacks several times," he said.
He added, "Then we failed in many things, and we lacked the effectiveness that we normally enjoyed. So, we played well, and this is the positive thing, but the negative thing is the loss."
Tariq Al-Jalahma explains the mistakes of the Barcelona players in the first and second goals # European_Champions League # Bayern_ Munich # Barcelona @ Dr_T_AlJalahmah pic.twitter.com/HCYv8pqhmG
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) September 13, 2022
Nagelsmann justifies Mane's retreat
On the other hand, Bayern Munich coach Nagelsmann said that newcomer Sadio Mane is still adapting to his team's style of play, but he must be more confident, after the Senegalese striker failed to shoot any ball against Barcelona.
Luca Hernandez and Leroy Sane scored the two goals for Bayern, and Mane went out in the 70th minute.
A goal for Bayern by Lucas Hernandez with a header from the first corner of the match # European_Champions League # Barcelona # Bayern_Munich pic.twitter.com/0zsCf58nb3
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) September 13, 2022
Mane has scored 5 goals with Bayern since his move from Liverpool, but he has fasted from scoring in the last 4 games.
"It's normal for a new player to have to adapt to a slightly different style of play than he was at Liverpool," Nagelsmann told reporters.
He added, "I said - this week - that I would like him to do some specific things, maybe less possession of the ball or pass to colleagues, and that he be more confident in himself."
"But we are very happy to have him, and he will leave his mark on our style."
Bayern will visit Augsburg in the league next Saturday.
Wait for @esmuellert_ 😁#UCL pic.twitter.com/F1dejPBebY
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 13, 2022