In the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday, Real Madrid humiliated Barcelona 4-1, and Barcelona's coach, Xavi Hernandez, chastised his players for playing poorly.
After their fierce Clasico opponents destroyed the Spanish champions in Saudi Arabia, Xavi felt his squad did not play well.
"We were lacking in every way and have to apologise to the fans, we did not show the level to compete in a final," Xavi told the press.
"We played one of our worst games of the season; it's a crushing loss, and as a Barca supporter, I'm sad.
"This is not the image that Barca have to show, especially in a final against Real Madrid."
Robert Lewandowski scored for the Catalans, but Vinicius Junior scored a treble for Real Madrid in the first half, including two goals in the first ten minutes.
In the second half, Rodrygo completed Real Madrid's crushing victory, while Ronald Araujo, a defender for Barcelona, was sent off after receiving two bookings for fouls on Vinicius.
"We did not stop counter-attacks and runs, we started in the worst way in a final, we were trailing for the whole game," Xavi said.
"We reacted well with Robert's goal and then with the penalty, the game basically ended there."
Xavi acknowledged that three trophies were still up for grabs this season and that his squad needed to correct their shortcomings following the loss.
On Thursday, Barcelona takes on third-tier Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey semifinals.
"It's a trophy lost, we have to be self-critical (but) I still believe in the project and we can still have a great season," the head coach stated.
"I think we can turn the situation around ... everything continues, I've been in these situations many times, there's nothing for it but sucking up the criticism."
