Thanks to two late goals from Robert Lewandowski, FC Barcelona snatched a 3-3 draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday, but only has a tiny hope of seeing the knockout stages of the Champions League, which seem promised to the Italians.
For Inter, the disappointment is immense: the Italians have twice believed they have sealed their ticket, but will still have to scrap during the last two days.
In the event of victory against the modest Plzen on the next day, the Italians will be in 8th for the first time in eleven years, and will eliminate Barça.
It is therefore almost mission impossible for the Catalans, who approach the clasico de Liga against Real Madrid on Sunday (4:15 p.m.) crippled with doubts.
For Dembélé too, the evening was ruined: the French international, who went from being a scapegoat to that of a public darling in the space of eight months, reached his peak of form a month before the World Cup in Qatar (20 November - December 18).
On fire on Wednesday, he scored his first goal in almost two years in the Champions League, his last achievement dating back to December 2, 2020 against Ferencvaros.
“Our mistakes killed us”
“We made mistakes that we are not allowed to make at this level.
We're not out yet, but it's complicated.
As long as there is hope, we must continue.
It's a hard blow, but we know that we have to try to recover quickly mentally, ”encouraged Eric Garcia after the match.
For the clasico, Xavi will however have to make urgent defensive adjustments, as the errors of Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia penalized his team on Wednesday evening.
Because the specter of the Europa League is already there.
“Even if we still have a chance mathematically, it is no longer our responsibility.
We keep hope, but it will be very difficult.
And it's because of our mistakes, nothing else.
Our mistakes have killed us.
It's cruel, it's hard.
It is my responsibility.
I'm angry, disappointed, sad, upset, and a little enraged too.
This competition was cruel to us”, regretted Xavi in a post-match press conference.
An eviction at this stage would be as catastrophic as it is historic for the Blaugranas, who have already been transferred to the Europa League last season.
Barca haven't missed the Champions League knockout stage twice in a row since the 1998-99 season.