Barcelona president Joan Laporta says the club’s rebuilding process was always going to include ups and downs after their premature UEFA Champions League elimination.
Inter Milan’s 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen sealed Barca’s fate on Wednesday, before the Spaniard were smashed 3-0 at home by Bayern Munich.
Barca are consigned to Europa League football, having had high ambitions at the start of the campaign following an off-season transfer frenzy.
The Blaugrana spent plenty bringing in the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie, Marcos Alonso and Raphinha yet failed to reach the Champions League last 16.
“We’ve to look forward. We knew that in this process of rebuilding the team there would be ups and downs,” Laporta said.
“The message to the fans is let’s look forward. Xavi also made youngsters play so that they can grow.”
Barca’s early elimination comes almost 12 months to the day that Xavi Hernandez was appointed as head coach replacing Ronald Koeman.
“We have to fight for all the titles in the next months,” Xavi said.
“There are Europa League, La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa; I’m convinced we can fight in all the competitions.
“I really think that La Liga is at the same level as the Premier League.”
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