Featured Image Credit: red/u/ShampainFootball
Topics: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Champions League
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Champions League
After being knocked out of the Champions League, a section of Barcelona fans in the 'Gol Nord' stand stayed behind so they could boost morale for the rest of the season.
Ahead of Wednesday's Group C clash against Bayern Munich, Barca's fate was already sealed after Inter Milan sealed their place in the last-16, as goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Edin Dzeko [2] and Romelu Lukaku beat Viktoria Plzen.
It was a devastating blow for the club, who spent big to bring in the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha this summer. And things didn't get much prettier for the Catalan giants.
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Xavi's men went 1-0 behind in the opening stages through Sadio Mane and just before the half hour mark, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – a man who with the greatest agent in world football – made it two.
After chants of 'Messi, Messi, Messi' rang around the stadium, full-back Benjamin Pavard put the nail in the coffin with an injury-time finish as Barcelona suffered relegation to the Europa League.
Some supporters exited the Camp Nou before Pavard's finish, but those standing in the 'Gol Nord' stand stayed behind to show their full support.
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In fact, such was their incredible vocal backing, the entire Barcelona squad stood in front of the stand, embracing renditions of Barca's famous hymns.
"Amazing scenes at the Camp Nou as the fans ask the players to come back on the pitch so that they can encourage them," Twitter account DANI APP said. "The 'Gol Nord' is singing the Barça hymns in front of the players."
After the full-time whistle, Barcelona manager Xavi reflected on a disastrous Champions League campaign.
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"We have to face the reality," he said. "I already said that we have to grow little by little and today there were good things. Today we did not compete on their level. In Munich we were better but today we didn't compete.
"Today Bayern was better," the Spaniard added. "Just as we were better in Munich and we should have won, today they were better. The group was very complicated and everything happened to us in the Champions League."
Thoughts on Barcelona's exit?
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