Barcelona may have qualified for the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League but their 3-2 defeat to Antwerp in Belgium on Wednesday in their final group stage match may have opened a Pandora’s box on what’s happening within the Barcelona camp.

Shortly after the loss to a team that was already locked out of the Champions League with matches to spare, Barcelona manager, Xavi admitted that there might be pressure on his players.

“I don’t like to criticize my players. I don’t think it’s positive, but they have to cheer up. They have more than what they are showing. Again, we had some important individual mistakes here tonight. Last Sunday we played a good game. Tonight, the feeling is not good. It’s a matter of confidence. The coaching staff is giving the players full confidence. We have rotated and given a chance to players. Now it’s a matter of being inspired, and right now we’re not. Barcelona’s shirt has a lot of weight, there’s added pressure, and players need to deal with it.”

The Spanish manager also admitted that there’s been a lot of unnecessary tension created in the build-up to the game, although he said his team should be happy to get qualified for the knock-out stages, something they couldn’t do in the previous two seasons. 

The former midfielder also said that they need to remember some of the unpleasant results from the past season before criticizing. Barcelona went behind as early as the first minute of the game in Belgium before Ferran Torres equalized in the 35th minute.

The home side regained their lead in the 56th minute of the second half and it was not until the 91st minute before Marc Guiu thought he had won a point with a late equalizer. However, there was still enough time in stoppage time to get a winner for the hosts through Ilenikhena.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu