The Spain international believes it would be a mistake to read too much into the significance of the Blaugrana's beating in Bavaria and Dortmund's mauling of Madrid
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta insists that this week's Champions League results do not prove that the Bundesliga has overtaken La Liga as the dominant domestic competition in European football.
It has been argued that Bayern Munich's stunning 4-0 rout of the Blaugrana on Tuesday night, coupled with Borussia Dortmund's 4-1 demolition of Real Madrid, represents a significant continental power shift.
However, Iniesta feels it would be a mistake to read too much into the outcome of two games.
"[Like Bayern], Borussia Dortmund are also in a very good spell but it's not that the Spanish league is below [the Bundesliga]," the midfielder told reporters on Thursday. "It's just that the Germans have outscored their opponents.
"But there are second legs to play and we can try to match those results."
Indeed, despite the one-sided nature of their meeting with Bayern in Bavaria, Iniesta still feels that Barca can, at the very least, salvage some pride at Camp Nou next week.
"We must believe if we are to have a chance," he stated. "Overturning four goals is very difficult but you have to have the mentality that you must first go and win the game, and then see what might happen.
"We have 90 minutes to try to achieve something very difficult. The result [at the Allianz Arena] was terrible and I'm not saying we're going to do it, but if we are to have a chance, we must play with the conviction that we can.
"They were better than us in every way, and not for lack of attitude or wanting on our path. They outplayed us.
"Let's face it, it hurts but we have to just focus on the second leg at home, trying to adjust as much as possible to get a great result. Even if we go out, we must leave everything on the field."
Iniesta, though, is glad that Barca do not have to dwell on their Bavarian beating for too long, given the Catalans could clinch the Spanish title this weekend should they win at Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid beat the Blancos later in the day.
"After the Champions League, we have had to start thinking about the league, so we have no choice but to get back up and start focusing on clinching the title as soon as possible," he explained.
"And it's never a bad year when you win the league, as it's the most important title.
"It is clear that the Champions League is the most prestigious and it's very difficult to win, but one would be mistaken if they thought that this would be a bad season if we do not win it."
Iniesta admitted, though, that winning Europe's premier club cup competition could be about to become even more daunting a task, given former Barca boss Pep Guardiola is set to take the helm at Bayern this summer.
"Guardiola is obviously taking over a super team and he will improve them," the World Cup 2010 final hero warned.
However, Iniesta added that he has no plans to join his former coach in Germany.
"It would be nice to finish my career here," he confessed. "It would be a dream if all goes well and I can renew my contract."
The 28-year-old Iniesta, who has been capped 80 times by Spain, is a product of Barcelona's youth academy.
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