Barcelona players joined forces on Tuesday to insist their Champions League dream was still alive in response to a 3-1 first-leg defeat by Internazionale in Milan (11/10 Barcelona – To Qualify).
Barca’s hopes of becoming the first club side to successfully defend the trophy belonging to Europe’s premier club competition were dealt a potentially-damaging blow on a night to savour for the Nerazzurri.
Too many of Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad – including red-hot Argentina international Lionel Messi and former Inter favourite Zlatan Ibrahimovic – had off-nights off the back of an arduous 14-hour coach trip, forced by the travel chaos resulting from the volcanic ash cloud, to reach Italy.
The holders appeared to be in the box seat when they snatched a priceless away goal courtesy of a sublime finish by Pedro on 19 minutes.
But the Catalan giants failed to build on their advantage and goals from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito secured a sixth consecutive Champions League victory for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Full-back Daniel Alves bemoaned: “We made mistakes when they had chances. It was a fiercely fought contest but we deserved a little more.”
The Brazilian added: “Complaining is for losers and we’re not losers.”
Barca skipper Carles Puyol, who will miss the return leg because of a suspension, added: “It’s a bad result. Let’s hope the Camp Nou helps us turn the tie around.”
Pedro said: “It’s good to score an away goal. We’ll give it 100% in the 90 minutes left in front of our own fans.”
Pep Guardiola suffered the unwanted record of falling to his heaviest defeat in Europe since taking charge at the Nou Camp but said he had every confidence his players could overturn the deficit (4/9 Barcelona 11/4 draw 11/2 Inter Milan – match betting).
“It is never good to lose by more than one goal, but it is the first time in the Champions League since I was in charge of Barcelona; the first time it has happened to us in 19 months,” he said.
“But we are convinced that we can turn the tie around.”
Guardiola must now rally his troops for Saturday’s La Liga clash at home against Xerex in the knowledge that bitter rivals Real Madrid are breathing down their necks.
The Nou Camp boss said he would take stock before analysing what went wrong against Inter and promised Messi would have a big say in Barca’s attempt to reach the final at the Bernabeu on May 22.
“We’ll invite you to Barcelona and then you will see the real Messi,” said Guardiola. “Our fans will get behind us and we can do it.”
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