Wednesday 1 May 2013 22:53, UK
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique admitted their 3-0 UEFA Champions League loss to Bayern Munich was one of their worst nights ever.
Xavi lauded Bayern as "extraordinary" and believes they thoroughly deserved their place in the final. The Spain international also refused to use his side's numerous absentees as a reason for their convincing defeat. Barca were without senior players Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano, Eric Abidal and Sergio Busquets through injury while Jordi Alba was suspended and Lionel Messi, who has been struggling with a hamstring problem in recent weeks, was an unused substitute. Xavi told Canal Plus: "Right now they (Bayern) are at an extraordinary level. They have been better and very much deserve to be in the finals. "Physically, we've been in bad shape with regards to players missing. Busquets, Abidal, Puyol, Mascherano...they are important players. But neither is that an excuse. Bayern have been better. Mentally strong, physically extraordinary."