How Barcelona IGNORED Xavi’s prophecy of how Inter Milan would shatter their Champions League hopes

Leaked footage has revealed how Barcelona defenders ignored Xavi’s warnings over Inter Milan’s long balls before the Italian side then scored from one in their Champions League draw.

The Catalan giants were held to a 3-3 draw at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night, and could be knocked out of the competition should the Italian side beat group minnows Viktoria Plzen at the San Siro in their next match.

With Barcelona 1-0 up at the break, Xavi warned his side how Inter could punish them in the second-half – advice which appeared to fall on deaf ears going off the Serie A side’s third goal – which almost sealed their fate.

Barcelona’s hopes of advancing in the Champions League are now hanging by a thread

Leaked footage has revealed how Xavi warned his players that Inter Milan could use long balls in the second half

In the leaked video of Xavi speaking to a number of his players inside the tunnel as they were about to return to the pitch, he is heard saying: ‘When (Andre) Onana has the ball, you all have to come back and defend like animals. 

‘It will happen. When Onana has it, they kick it long. They did it once already and you guys were stuck on the wing, god damnit. Come back to defend… come back!’

This advice was not adhered to as Robin Gosens appeared to strike a descisive blow in the 89th minute of the match.

Xavi said his players needed to ‘come back and defend like animals’ when Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana had possession of the ball in the clash on Wednesday night

For Inter’s third goal Onana’s long goal kick found Lautaro Martinez – the furthest player forward – with the Argentine player finding Robin Gosens to make the score 3-2 at the time

Inter goalkeeper Onana played a long goal-kick over the top to Lautaro Martinez on the wing.

Martinez, with Gerard Pique rushing over to him and Frenkie de Jong not far behind, was able to thread the ball across the box to a wide-open Gosens who made it 3-2. 

It wasn’t the only poor defensive moment during the second-half, with Pique allowing a long ball into the penalty area to go what he thought was into the hands of keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, only for Nicolo Barella to gather and make it 1-1. 

A second long ball into the box was not dealt with by Eric Garcia, which allowed Martinez to fire home and put Inter ahead.

Fortunately for Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski scored a brace, with his second goal coming in the second minute of stoppage time, to keep the Catalan side in the competition.

Gosens’ goal came in the 89th minute and appeared to send Barcelona out of the competition

Robert Lewandowski’s stoppage time equaliser just about kept Barcelona in the competition

However, even if they beat Bayern Munich in their next group game, they could still be knocked out if Inter take all three points against Viktoria Plzen.

Early elimination could prove costly after Barcelona budgeted to reach the quarter-final stage as a minimum after their heavy spending over the summer.

The Catalan giants spent a staggering £132million, and on top of that, have an out-of-control wage bill and could be forced to pull more economic levers to raise funds.

The early exit would cost the club at least the £8.4m given teams that reach the last-16. They had budgeted for at least a quarter-final place and failing to make it to that stage will cost them a further £9.3m.

There was some optimism that they could go all the way this year, earning a further £11m for the semi finals, and, if they reached the final, either £13.6m or £17.5m, depending on whether or not they won it. Winning the Europa League will bring in around £13m, but there are no guarantees they will claim the lesser prize.

Pique, who had a night to forget against Inter Milan is contracted at the club until 2024, and along with Jordi Alba, could cost the club £62m unless they are offloaded before the end of their deals. 

Despite their Champions League struggles, Xavi’s side are top of LaLiga, though level on points with El Clasico rivals Real Madrid – who they play on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Inter could knock Barcelona out of the tournament if they beat Viktoria Plzen at the San Siro