Xavi says things were tough despite win against Shakhtar Donestk

Barcelona manager Xavi had said that his team made things difficult for themselves in their 2-1 win against Shakhtar Donetsk in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League fixture at the Olympic Stadium.

Barcelona was in impressive form before the fixture, having won the two opening group-stage fixtures without conceding a goal. They started strongly, with the hosts hitting the woodwork through Fermin Lopez in the 28th minute, but Ferran Torres was on hand to slam home the rebound. He has scored five goals in 12 appearances for Barcelona this season.

Ferran Torres then assisted another for Lopez eight minutes later, hitting the woodwork again, but lucky to see it go in off the upright. The visitors would go on to score a consolation through Heorhii Sudakov, who scored in the second half.

However, the hosts held on maintaining their perfect Group H record in the Champions League, although Xavi admitted his team relaxed towards the end it was a good preparation ahead of the weekend’s El Clasico.

“We made things difficult for ourselves at the end; we played for every ball; it was a fantastic day to have our tall players back. We did well until the goal, and then we suffered from not scoring a third; we should have won comfortably. In general, it was a good game for us. We will see about Saturday [against Real Madrid], for now, we have to enjoy things. He has to be important; he is scoring.” Xavi said.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-2 draw against Celtic as Antoine Griezman and Alvaro Morata scored to equalize twice after Celtic took an early lead in the fourth minute through Kyogo Furuhashi.

Griezmann missed a penalty in the 25th minute but was able to score from the rebound, only for Luis Palma to put the hosts ahead three minutes later. Morata’s second-half strike could only secure a draw and finished the game with ten men after Rodrigo De Paul was sent off in the 82nd minute.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu