Barcelona's Manager Took Full Blame ... Wait, Nope. He Blamed The Team's Fans For The Reason They Lost To The 9th Best German Team

[Source] - Speaking after the game, Barca boss Xavi was fuming that there were reportedly 30,000 Frankfurt fans inside the Nou Camp - the German club were only allocated 5,000 tickets.

"But logically this could have affected us. It's very clear.

"We've tried to focus on the game and we've not been good. It has nothing to do with one thing and the other. It's not an excuse.

"It hasn't helped us, but on the pitch, we haven't been good, and we haven't competed."

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said he was "embarrassed and ashamed" with the crowd fiasco.

I love this move by Barcelona. I mean they are probably what? A top-5 club that even the most casual of soccer fans can rattle off. So here they are playing in Europa League, not even Champions League, and they are at home against Frankfurt. Let me be more specific, Frankfurt is currently 9th in the Bundesliga behind the likes of FC Koln, Union Berlin and Hoffenheim. 

So what happened? Oh just a little elimination at home. Lost 3-2 at Barcelona and 4-3 aggregate. Brutal. Some may say it's about as low as Barcelona can possibly get since we're used to seeing them at least in the Champions League. Remember we're talking about European soccer here. We're not talking about other NFL fans showing up to LA and overtaking the Rams. Oh no we're talking about a place where it feels like it's typically 97% in favor of the home crowd. 

But here's the move. You say it's not an excuse and then use it precisely as an excuse. I would never. Teams I cheer for would never pull that move. No sir. But I appreciate it. Why take blame when you can pass it to someone else? That's called being an adult in the workforce. It doesn't matter what work you do, you just find a way to pass blame.