Luis Suarez scored a sensational double after Neymar had opened the scoring, as the Catalans recorded an impressive 3-1 victory at the Parc des Princes, with Gregory van der Wiel netting a late consolation for the hosts.
Barca were lauded for a terrific away performance but Al-Khelaifi argued that there were mitigating circumstances, pointing out that PSG had gone into the quarter-final, first-leg clash without suspended trio Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco Verratti and Serge Aurier, as well as the injured Thiago Motta.
"We are of course disappointed with the result," the PSG supremo told RMC Sport. "But we understand why this outcome has happened: we were missing four key players.
"But this is football; we have to accept it. Perhaps we were also playing against the best team in the world, with great attackers.
"But I want to thank our players for giving the maximum. It was perhaps not enough against Barca, but everyone has given their all.
"Now we need to focus on the next match against Nice, because the French championship is very important to us.
"Then we can think about the second leg. It will be very difficult for us but it's not finished yet. We will give our best and keep trying everything until the last minute."
However, Al-Khelaifi says that PSG will have to play far more adventurously and intensely at Camp Nou next Tuesday than they did in the first leg.
"We were not aggressive enough," he added. "It's impossible to beat Barca, with all their great players, if you are not aggressive.
"I'm sure the coach will talk with the players and analyse the mistakes we made.
"We are disappointed not to have beaten Barca at home, but this is not the end of the world."
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