Andres Iniesta has refuted the suggestion that Barcelona’s cycle of success is over, but admits that they must improve for next season.
La Blaugrana were hit with a 4-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in Tuesday evening's Champions League semi-final first leg to lead to claims that the current side’s success has run its course.
“We were dominated in every way. It is not for a lack of attitude. They were very good and we admit that. It hurts, but like they were with us, we should be,” mused Iniesta to reporters today.
“It is unfair to talk about the end of a cycle. This team has in the last five years won two Champions League titles and four League titles…it is a blessed cycle.
“We have had many years winning and fighting for everything. If you look back in five years at the Munich game, it will still look bad.
“An end of an era comes after many years of not winning anything. We have done enough for people to have respect at all levels of the club.
“Next year we will fight for the titles, but we will have to improve things and the club must improve to reach their level at the semi-finals and by the final game.
“I mean everyone, those who are here and those who may come. With what we have now, in order to reach the level next year.
“Football is becoming increasingly complicated and if you are on top, even more so.
“It is not that I am saying who we have to sign or not, there are people here that make those decisions, I am just saying that the machine must improve to continue at this high level.
“Everyone is free to say what they want. When things go wrong, people should count to 10, reason and think. If we want to remain competitive we need to improve many things.”
The midfielder was asked of Barca’s chances of turning things around against Bayern next week.
“We must believe that we can do it and we will look for the chances to do so. Four goals against is very complicated, but even with the smallest of chances, we will be there, it could be possible.
“If we are presented with the opportunity then we have to take it. I am not saying that we will score five, but we have to get to a stage thinking that if there is a remote chance, we will take it.
“When everything seems lost, things can happen that you do not expect.”
Barca could be crowned League champions at the weekend if they beat Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid lose the derby to Atletico Madrid.
“After the Champions League game we have to change our mentality and look to win in Bilbao to bring the League title closer.
“They play at pace and it will be hard. We have to stand up now and look to the future with optimism.
“Could we win it this weekend? Let’s see what happens on Saturday. It is not up to us. Regardless of whether we celebrate this weekend or not, this has been one of the toughest championships in recent years.
“When you win the League, the year is never bad. We would be wrong if we thought that not winning the Champions League would be bad.”
