Xavi says Barcelona have no choice but to continue believing in their project | OneFootball

Athletic Club knocked Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey and secured their place in the final eight of the competition at San Mames on Thursday evening.

Los Leones won what was an absolutely thrilling contest 3-2 having taken the lead on three separate occasions after Barcelona equalised twice.

Iker Muniain fired Athletic into the lead after just two minutes, with Ferran Torres clapping back in the 20th minute to level things up and register his first goal for Barcelona since joining from Manchester City.

Inigo Martinez then thought that he had won it for Athletic in the 86th minute when he made it 2-1, only for Pedri to equalise again for Barcelona deep in stoppage time.

Then, in the first half of extra time, Muniain scored his second of the evening from the spot to make it 3-2 to Athletic.

The Basque side will face either Mallorca, Cadiz, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Real Betis, Real Sociedad or Real Madrid in the quarter final.

“I think Athletic played a great game,” Xavi said post-match in comments carried by Marca. “It was difficult for us to progress. They defended very well, with enormous intensity.

“They were superior in duels. They were very strong to me. It was difficult for us. Pedri’s goal gave us wings for extra time, but then came the fateful penalty.

“We tried, but things didn’t work out for us. But we have no choice but to continue believing in this project. We have to believe in La Liga and the Europa League. I don’t know any other way to do the job.”