Former Barcelona player Alexander Hleb has reacted to the Catalan club's elimination by Manchester United in the Europa League play-offs. The match at Old Trafford on February 23 ended in a 2-1 victory for the Mancunians.
I saw the goals in that game, but I think that an early exit from European competitions is a failure for any top club. In any case, Xavi is building the team. Now that football has leveled up, it's difficult to play against any opponent. Let's believe that this setback will make them stronger.
Alexander Hleb exclusively for Telecom Asia Sport
"If the management has confidence in Xavi, he shouldn't be fired if he doesn't win La Liga. I think the club's management fully supports the coaching staff. A club like Barcelona always sets its goals as big as possible - to win the league, the domestic cup and, of course, the European Cup," Hleb told Telecomasia.net.
The last time Barcelona won the European Cup was in 2015 - then the Blaugrana won the Champions League. This season, the team is in first place in the Spanish championship, ahead of Real Madrid on the results of 22 rounds by eight points. The team reached the semifinals of the Spanish Cup, where its opponent will also be Real.