Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has admitted he is to blame for their
Champions League exit, but has stressed they can still win two trophies.
Luis Enrique has taken full
responsibility for Barcelona's Champions League exit at the hands of
Atletico Madrid, but has stressed they still have plenty left to play
for in the remainder of the season.
An Antoine
Griezmann double helped Atletico to a 2-0 win at the Vicente Calderon
after Barcelona had won the first leg 2-1 at Camp Nou, ending the
Catalans' hopes of successfully defending their European title.
Luis Enrique refused to dramatise matters, though, and urged his team to turn their attention to La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
"I
am 99.9 per cent to blame for our Champions League exit. No, make that
100 per cent. I am the coach and I am responsible," he said at a news
conference.
"It was a game like we expected. We
did not have any problems in the first half, even if they scored a goal
in a situation where we were not fortunate. We created enough chances in
the second half to get a goal. It was an exciting game. We can only
congratulate Atletico and wish them the best of luck.
"I
don't think Atletico were superior to us. We have played here plenty of
times and have suffered more in the past. This game was further
evidence that we are not going through our best spell. We are not at our
best. But we still have two trophies to play for.
"The
Champions League was a trophy we really wanted and we are obviously sad
that we can no longer win it this season. We are always aiming high and
we are proud to be favourites in every competition. We have to
understand that losing is part of the game.
"We
still have two important objectives left. We will still have had a great
season if we win the domestic double. But we have to improve."
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