MADRID, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann offered no excuses for his side's catastrophic 3-0 defeat at home to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The result meant Juventus leapfrogged over Barca to finish as the winners of their qualifying group condemning Barca to a theoretically tougher draw with their last 16 tie away from home.
Barca trailed 2-0 after just 20 minutes following a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and a fine volley from Weston McKennie. Despite Leo Messi's efforts they never looked like getting back into the game, with Ronaldo adding a second penalty seven minutes after the break.
When he was asked what had gone wrong, Griezmann didn't hold back with a withering criticism of the performance.
"Good question," he replied: "we just didn't turn up and they were all over us in the first half. There was a lack of desire, a lack of attitude, a lack of running, defending, attacking... it was all bad," continued the forward.
The defeat increases the pressure on Barca coach Ronald Koeman, whose side is also 12 points behind Atletico Madrid in La Liga, but Griezmann said the players had to take responsibility.
"We are the ones who play, so it's our fault and we have to work hard and improve. Only if we want to work and play will we be able to progress."
"We can't look for excuses, all we can do is work, starting with our game on Sunday (at home to Levante). Today was very ugly for all of us and also the fans and it's hard to take. The only good thing that could come of it is if it wakes us all up and teaches us that we have to go out and work if we want to win," he concluded. Enditem
