FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.03.2008 22:56

Xavi: "We are very downcast"

Anna Segura

Xavi admitted that the FC Barcelona team were feeling downcast after seeing a two-goal lead overturned by Real Betis Balompié in the Ruiz de Lopera on Saturday evening.

The Catalan midfielder was unable to explain why the team had allowed their advantage to slip, but said that the players were angry with themselves for their second half display.

Xavi Hernández:

"We feel ashamed in a football sense. We cannot explain it. Again we have allowed ourselves to lose and today in an incredible way."

"The team has not played well in the second half and we have allowed Betis to come back."

"We have to continue. There are a lot of games left."

"We are very angry with ourselves. We did not use the advantage that we had."

"The team has given everything, but now we are downcast:"

"In the first half we played very well and had a lot of possession. In the second period, we did not play anywhere near the same way."

"We have to believe in ourselves. But the chances continue to pass us and we are not taking advantage of them."

Carles Puyol:

"Today reflects our season overall. A good first half and then i the second half we did that."

"It is difficult to analyse because we have only just finished. We just have to ask for forgiveness."

"We did not play well. I cannot explain what happened in the second half."

"The team was poor in the second half. If we want to win things, then we cannot continue like that."

"We now have another important game and we have to refocus."

"We believe in Rijkaard. The ones that play are the players. The first half we played very well."

"The league is not decided with one game, but today was a big step back."

Gianluca Zambrotta:

"We are in a strange moment. In the first half we played very well. With their first goal, we did not have the strength to find a third goal for ourselves. We lacked a strong mentality."