FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez was proud of his team despite getting knocked out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
Athletic Bilbao defeated Barcelona 4-2 at home as brothers Inaki and Nico Williams scored in extra time in a thrilling quarter-final.
"We have competed very well against a great team that is very strong at home. I already said that the draw had not been good. They are very intense, it's very difficult. We have to rebuild ourselves and compete in La Liga and the Champions League. We can be proud to have competed until the end,” Xavi said after the match.
"Football is a game of mistakes and this year we are not minimising them. I'm proud of the young players.
"We have a very young team and this is the beginning of something big, whether I'm the coach or not."
The loss could increase pressure on Xavi in a stuttering season. Barca are third in the LaLiga standings on 44 points, eight behind leaders Girona and seven adrift of rivals Real Madrid in second.
“If at the end of the season we are not at a competitive level... I will have to leave,” he said.
“I know where I am, it’s a top club. Here at Barca you need to win titles or you will be at risk”.
Athletic struck inside the first minute through Gorka Guruzeta, but Barcelona turned the game around with goals from Robert Lewandowski and 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal.
Oihan Sancet netted early in the second half to take the game to extra-time and then teed up substitute Inaki Williams to put the Basques ahead.
His brother Nico Williams added the finishing touch late on to complete a superb night for the hosts, and a miserable one for Barca, despite a battling performance.