Xavi expresses belief that Barcelona ‘deserved to win 4-1 or 5-1’ against Shakhtar – was it justified?

Xavi’s assessment after the match was somewhat overstated. While he expressed the view that Barcelona “deserved to win 4-1 or 5-1” against Shakhtar, it might be seen as an exaggeration. The team indeed outperformed their opponents, but the reality was not as lopsided as he portrayed.

According to the xG (expected goals) statistics, Barcelona’s performance warranted a maximum of three goals, whereas Shakhtar’s goal was well-deserved based on their performance. A scoreline of 3-1 would be a more accurate reflection of the match, indicating that while Barcelona had the upper hand, they were not as dominant as Xavi’s comments may suggest. The match did provide a demanding physical challenge, but it’s important to maintain a balanced perspective on the team’s performance.