Barcelona

The Barcelona midfielder Xavi bemoaned the holders' "rotten luck" after they fell to a shock 2-1 home defeat to Rubin Kazan in their Champions League Group F match last night.

The Russian champions inflicted a first defeat on Pep Guardiola's side in Europe's top club competition in 10 matches. Despite enjoying long periods of possession and having 13 shots on target, twice hitting the woodwork in the second half, Barça were undone by Aleksandr Ryazantsev's long-range drive and a breakaway goal from Gokdeniz Karadeniz. "It was just absolutely rotten luck and the way the match went we did not deserve to lose," said Xavi, who captained the team with Carles Puyol on the bench.

"Rubin had two attacks and nothing more and have taken away a prize they did not deserve. We played well but it makes it hard when your opponents only come to defend."

Barcelona remain top of Group F on goal difference after three of six matches, level on four points with Dynamo Kyiv and Rubin. Internazionale are bottom on three after they were held to a 2-2 home draw by Dynamo.

Barça next face a difficult away match against Rubin in Kazan on 4 November before hosting Inter on 24 November. They travel to Kyiv to face Dynamo on 9 December.

"It's going to be tricky but we are still top of the group and masters of our own destiny," Xavi said.

Barça's Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Touré, who headed against a post in the fourth minute of added time on Tuesday, said the Catalans would stick to their philosophy of all-out attack despite Tuesday's loss.

"For me, Barça played a great match but the Russians are physically very strong," Touré said. "We dominated the match, but dominating is not winning. We had very bad luck."

The forward Pedro said Barcelona had to forget the defeat and focus now on Sunday's La Liga match at home to Real Zaragoza. "When our next opponents come here we will be waiting for them with relish," he said.