Barcelona crash out of Champions League and will play in Europa after Bayern Munich loss

In pictures: Man Utd v Young Boys

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Barcelona have been knocked out of the Champions League group stages and will not play in the knockout phase of the competition for the first time since the 2000-01 season following a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich. Coming into the final round of fixtures in Group E Barca sat in 2nd place, and two points ahead of Benfica.

But it meant that they would need to at least match the score of the Portuguese giants, who faced Dynamo Kiev, in order to progress.

Things did not get off to a good start for the Catalans when Benfica went 2-0 up in Lisbon within 22 minutes courtesy of goals from Roman Yaremchuk and Gilberto Moraes Junior.

It meant that Barca would have to win in Germany, but they fell to a two-goal deficit before half-time thanks to strikes from Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane. 

And their hopes of an unlikely comeback were ended when Jamal Musiala made it 3-0 on 62 minutes. 

Xavi’s side therefore finished in third place in their group, and will now enter the knockout stages of the Europa League instead its rather more prestigious fellow UEFA competition after Christmas.

And they could face the likes of West Ham or Leicester City at some point in the tournament in what would no doubt be an intriguing watch.

Barca’s latest humiliation is yet another mark against this proud old club, who have not yet managed to get back to their best under Xavi.

They are languishing down in seventh place in La Liga, and it could be some time before they are seen playing Champions League football again. 

Speaking ahead of tonight’s game, president Joan Laporta sent a rallying cry to the team – but it clearly had little effect.

“Barca is a club that has a tradition and a trajectory of many years participating in the Champions League and we want to qualify,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

“We know that there is the will from all of the Barcelonismo and it’s one of those games in which you have to take out pride and demonstrate who you are.

“I am very confident today – with appropriate weather but without excuse – Barca will show pride and dignity.”

Barca are next in action on Sunday when they travel to Osasuna in La Liga.

And their supporters may already be beginning to write off this season, as they are left with precious little to look forward to.

Although he has not been in the job too long, the pressure may already be beginning to rise on Xavi. 

But the problems clearly run far deeper than him at a club in total disarray. 

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