Deco, who was impressive on the night, said: "We needed a goal, we did not get it and now we must lift our heads. We still have the Liga left, it is important to try to finish second. It has been a very poor season, we did not win anything.

"We have been two years like this, now we must think about things and try to improve. We must win something next season, because a club like Barca cannot have two consecutive campaigns like this."

Xavi was equally as honest: "We had the desire, the intensity, but it was Manchester who scored. We had great hopes committed to this competition, but the objective was not fulfilled again. We had the possession, but you could see that it was sterile."