After one other demoralizing defeat, struggling Barcelona face a grim future within the Champions League.
The Catalan membership adopted up an early 3-0 loss in opposition to Bayern Munich with one other 3-0 loss at Benfica on Wednesday. At the underside of their group, Barcelona all of the sudden discover themselves at risk of not reaching the knockout stage for the primary time since 2000–01.
“We are in a dire situation,” mentioned Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets.
“We have zero points after the first two rounds.”
Darwin Nez scored twice, together with three minutes into the match, and Rafa Silva scored one other aim on the Stadium of Light to assist Benfica finish a 60-year winless streak in opposition to Barcelona. It was his second win in eight matches in opposition to the Catalan membership.
Bayern scored six factors from two matches within the second match of Group E, abandoning Dynamo Kiev in Germany. Benfica, who began with a draw at Dynamo, have 4 factors, three greater than Dynamo. Barcelona remained on zero factors earlier than consecutive matches in opposition to Dynamo.
“We need to win our next two matches against Dynamo and then we’ll see what happens,” Busquets mentioned.
“We have to think positive and work on improving many things.”
The defeat put extra stress on Barcelona coach Ronaldo Koeman, who was unable to see the crew carry out and remained with membership president Joan Laporta and even some gamers. Dutch coach mentioned
There isn’t any particular probability of Barcelona profitable any title this season.
“I don’t want to answer any more questions about my future because it’s out of my hands,” Koeman mentioned.
“In the top the coach is all the time accountable. I feel I’ve the assist of my gamers. I do not know if I’ve it from the membership or not.”
Last season, Barcelona failed to achieve the quarter-finals for the primary time since 2006–07, shedding to Paris Saint-Germain within the Round of 16 and ending their report run of 13 consecutive last-eight appearances.
Without Lionel Messi for the primary time in practically 20 years, Barcelona have received solely one in all their final 5 matches in all competitions, a disappointing run that started with a loss to Bayern on the Camp Nou Stadium. It has received solely thrice in eight matches in all competitions this season.
It was Barcelona’s fifth consecutive Champions League match and not using a win, scoring 14 targets throughout that run. He hasn’t fired a single shot since eight tries on Wednesday.
Benfica’s solely different win in opposition to Barcelona was within the 1961 European Cup closing when the golf equipment first met.
Benfica, who began their Champions League marketing campaign within the third qualifying spherical, are unbeaten in 13 matches this season, with 11 wins.
“We are going through a very good moment. We are very confident,” mentioned Benfica coach Jorge Jesus.
“We knew we were facing a great opponent. We played cleverly and managed the game well.”
The hosts regarded extra harmful from the beginning, as Barcelona struggled to take management and create alternatives.
Benfica opened the scoring within the sport’s first shot on aim, with Nez simply previous Barcelona defender Eric García, who was despatched off with a second yellow card within the 87th.
Nez virtually took the lead within the 52nd when Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen clumsily left his subject and allowed Uruguay to hit an open shot into the online, which ended up hitting the publish from very lengthy distance.
Silva scored a second aim from shut vary within the 69th after a failed try by Joso Mario, and Nez sealed the victory by changing a penalty kick within the 79th minute after a handball by Barcelona defender Sergino Dest.
Former Benfica coach Koman began the match with three central defenders, however modified the formation after half an hour by changing Gerard Pique with teenage midfielder Gavi.
Koman returned to Pedri González’s midfield after the teen was sidelined as a consequence of harm. Jordi Alba and Usman Dembele are usually not injured.
Benfica despatched Valentino Lazaro a ahead as a consequence of an harm earlier than halftime.
Benfica’s subsequent Champions League match shall be in opposition to Bayern at residence in October. Barcelona hosts Dynamo forward of its journey to Ukraine.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
