Xavi: 'It's a shame because we worked really hard'

It was not to be for FC Barcelona as they went down to a painful 3-2 defeat in the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid. The reverse leaves Real Madrid 11 points clear at the top of the table with six league game remaining. "It's a shame because we worked hard and things got away from us due to situations we can't control: defending in the area, stopping a clear counter attack," said Barça coach Xavi in his post game press conference. "It's unfair as we dominated the game and we created chances. It was the performance we wanted but it has got away from us." 

Despite the "small details that decide the contest", the coach made it clear that "we have to be proud of how we competed and how we played. We controlled the game and we deserved to win. I leave with a contradiction because normally with how we played we would win but we have lost due to circumstance," he added. 

Xavi concluded: "We have to accept defeat, even though it will be tough because it was not deserved but we have to continue with the goal of finishing second to get to the Spanish Super Cup."