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Xavi lauds "extraordinary" Bayern Munich

Xavi lauds
© AP Photos
Xavi says that Bayern Munich are worthy of a place in the Champions League final.

Barcelona captain Xavi has refused to blame his side's absentees for their Champions League exit at the hands of the "extraordinary" Bayern Munich in the semi-finals on Wednesday night.

The Germans progressed to the final with a 7-0 aggregate triumph following a 3-0 win at the Camp Nou against a Barca side that was missing senior players Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano, Eric Abidal and Sergio Busquets through injury while Jordi Alba was suspended and Lionel Messi was an unused substitute.

However, Xavi insists that the Catalan outfit cannot use their missing players as an excuse and believes Bayern are worthy of a place at Wembley.

"Right now [Bayern] are at an extraordinary level," Xavi told Canal+. "They have been better and very much deserve to be in the finals.

"Physically, we've been in bad shape with regards to players missing. Busquets, Abidal, Puyol, Mascherano; they are important players. But neither is that an excuse. Bayern have been better. Mentally strong, physically extraordinary."

Bayern will now face fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley later this month.

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Bayern's Thomas Muller celebrates scoring against FC Barcelona during the Champions League semi final first leg on April 23, 2013
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Group A

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Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

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Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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