Champions League: End of an era? 'There's no need to be drastic' says Barcelona midfielder Xavi following 7-0 drubbing against Bayern Munich
Trailing 4-0 from the first leg, Barcelona were humbled 3-0 at the Nou Camp in the second
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Your support makes all the difference.Barcelona's wounded players have sent out a warning to their rivals - this is not the end of the side that has conquered all before it and they will come back fighting next season.
Last night, the Catalan club were humiliated by Bayern Munich. Trailing 4-0 from the first leg, few gave them any hope of completing a comeback - but even fewer predicted the humbling they were given by Bayern who scored three goals without reply to progress to the final at Wembley with a 7-0 aggregate victory.
Some have suggested it is the end of an era for the side that established themselves as the team to beat on the continent. Under Pep Guardiola, they won 14 trophies in four years - including two European Cups.
They also look poised to reclaim the Primera Division title this season in Tito Vilanova's first campaign in charge, but while the club may be top dogs in Spain, they no longer appear to be the dominant force in Europe after being humiliated by the Bavarians.
However, although Xavi concedes Bayern were a class apart in sealing their final spot, the Spain international still sees a bright future for Barca.
"I think so, yes. There's no need to be drastic. The team has a future, we've competed very well up until now. I'm always optimistic and this team has the desire," he told Canal Plus.
"We've not been able to get through the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and Champions League (but) I think we have the team to carry on.
"On Sunday we have another competition."
Barca could replace Real Madrid as Spanish champions this weekend and their players are now focussing on that match in a bid to banish their European misery.
Midfielder Cesc Fabregas said: "The players are hurt, we have to react and win La Liga as soon as possible.
"We went up against a very strong Bayern, their counters with (Franck) Ribery and (Arjen) Robben were very hard to stop. But we are Barca, we don't make excuses."
Defender Dani Alves added on his club's website: "We have to thank the fans for their support and promise them that we will return
"The fans understand football and they know that when you get knocked down you get up and you keep on fighting.
"We still have that hunger to keep on winning and the fact that we were eliminated in the semi-finals proves that. We don't make excuses. If your opponent is better than you, you get eliminated."
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