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Barcelona downplay Champions League result

By Ernesto Hernandez

Alhassan Yusuf fights for the ball with Jules Kounde during the Champions League Group H match between FC Barcelona and Royal Antwerp FC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on September 19, 2023. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Alhassan Yusuf fights for the ball with Jules Kounde during the Champions League Group H match between FC Barcelona and Royal Antwerp FC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on September 19, 2023. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Raphinha (left) celebrates with Ilkay Gundogan during Barcelona’s Champions League match against Royal Antwerp. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Raphinha (left) celebrates with Ilkay Gundogan during Barcelona’s Champions League match against Royal Antwerp. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Barcelona could not have asked for a better start after beating Royal Antwerp 5-0 in their Champions League group stage opener.

“I am really happy with the result, but above all with how we played,” Xavi Hernandez said after the match. “The early stages tonight were even because we didn’t press high well, but from the 20th minute, I thought we controlled the game. We dominated possession, recovered balls high and attacked well positionally.”

Despite the result and performance, Barcelona are keenly aware it’s only one match and there are still five games left to go in the group stage.

“The goal is to be competitive but we have to remember where we come from, we want to go far this year,” said Jules Koundé. “We want more because last year we scored the first goal and then struggled to score the second goal. Now we want to score a lot of goals.”

The last couple of seasons have been disastrous for the Catalan side in the Champions League. Consecutive group stage eliminations isn’t something the club is used to and they know they need to improve.

The players know it’s only one match and that tougher fixtures await in visiting stadiums.

https://twitter.com/barcacentre/status/1704239891142295620

When the draw came out, almost everyone had Barcelona topping the group. On paper, they stand out from the likes of Porto, Royal Antwerp and Shakhtar Donestk. But the same could have been said when they were drawn with the likes of Benfica two seasons ago and Inter Milan last season. On those occasions, Bayern Munich were the clear favorites but it was assumed Barcelona would qualify as second.

As we saw, that wasn’t the case.

The games still have to be played and anyone can have an off day.

The objective for Xavi and his side remain the same: to advance out of the group stage.

“If we keep this up, we can compete in the Champions League, but it’s very early,” Xavi said. “The objective is to make the next round and if that’s as group winners, even better. There are big games to come and we will have to step up in them when they arrive.”

dark. Next. Barcelona rout Royal Antwerp in Champions League opener

That next big game in the competition will come in two weeks time when Barcelona travel to Portugal to face Porto.

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