The fall from grace of five-time European champions FC Barcelona has got worse after being dumped out of the UEFA Champions League following a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Barca needed to win to assure their place in the last 16, or hope that Benfica failed to win in their group game with lowly Dynamo Kiev.
But Xavi’s side were blown away by a ruthless Bayern Munich outfit, already assured of its progress, playing behind closed doors.
Thomas Muller put the Germans ahead with a looping header in the 34th minute before Marc-Andre ter Stegen flapped at Leroy Sane’s long-range 43rd minute strike.
After Sane missed from point blank range, Jamal Musiala added a third goal in the second half after good work from Alphonso Davies.
The elimination, sending Barca into the Europa League, comes following an awful start to the season for the Catalans who lost Lionel Messi due to their financial challenges and subsequent La Liga regulations.
Ronald Koeman was sacked earlier this season, with Xavi installed as manager, but Barca are still battling domestically, sitting seventh in La Liga.
“This is our reality. Its the situation we face, and we have to face the situation with dignity,” Xavi said after the game.
“Today begins a new era and a new stage. I’m pissed off. This is our reality and it pisses me off. But we have to face it. There’s no other way. Today a new stage begins and we start from scratch.
“Our goal is the Champions League, not the Europa League. We have to work hard. I don’t like the word failure, because we have tried. I love this club and I will give my life to make it work.”
Elsewhere, snow meant Atalanta and Villarreal had their decisive group game postponed 24 hours, while Manchester United finish top in Group F despite a 1-1 home draw with Young Boys.
In Group H, European champions Chelsea conceded late to draw 3-3 away to Zenit St Petersburg, surrendering top spot to Juventus who won 1-0 over Malmo.
In Group G, Lille won 3-1 at Wolfsburg to clinch top spot ahead of Austrian champions Salzburg who knocked out 10-man Sevilla 1-0.
