After the defeat at Benfica Lisbon, things are going well at FC Barcelona. Coach Ronald Koeman will have to leave.
The great FC Barcelona has arrived on the ground of reality. After the 3-0 home defeat against FC Bayern on matchday one, Benfica Lisbon suffered the next embarrassing defeat in this year's Champions League. The Portuguese finished the Spanish top club 3-0, Yusuf Demir followed the debacle from the bank.
The goals for Benfica were scored by Nunez (3rd, 79th / penalty) and Rafa (69th). Barca defender Eric Garcia saw a red card in the 87th minute. Bitter: ÖFB team player Valentino Lazaro had to be replaced with an injury shortly before the break. The 25-year-old went from the field to the dressing room himself, but a mission for Austria's international matches in October will not work.
One billion euros in debt
The crisis of FC Barcelona is getting worse after the debacle in Lisbon. The problems of the Spanish top club go much deeper than the current sporting misery suggests. Barcelona have over a billion euros in debt. According to information from the Spanish league, this mainly affects the Catalans' personnel budget. This has shrunk massively. Arch-rivals Real Madrid can currently spend eight times more on their own staff than Barcelona.
The Catalans' financial worries arose from the mismanagement of the former club presidium and were further exacerbated by the consequences of the corona pandemic. Barcelona also have nothing from the opening of the Spanish stadiums. The Spanish government decided that full capacity utilization of the stadiums will be possible again from October 1st. In Catalonia, however, special regulations apply that only allow 60 percent use.
Money from Qatar for Barca
On the financial front, there has recently been a glimmer of hope for the financially troubled top club. According to the Catalan source 8TV, a company from Qatar should be ready to pay off Barcelona's debts on favorable terms. How serious this offer is will only become apparent in the coming weeks.
In the current season, things are anything but smooth in terms of sport. Only three wins in eight competitive games, not a complete success outside of their own stadium. Messi's creativity is clearly lacking in the Catalans' game. Numerous points were left against supposedly “small” opponents.
The view of the Champions League balance sheet is even more disastrous. After two games, Barca are bottom of the table with two defeats and a goal difference of 6-0. It was the first time since 1972 that the Catalans lost their first two European games. It is the second worst start of all 32 teams in this year's Champions League, only Malmö conceded one more goal.
Real Madrid stumbles too
The balance of power in world football seems to be slowly but surely shifting. The Spanish giants wobble. Although Real Madrid are leaders in Spain, Los Blancos also suffered a bitter defeat in the Champions League on Tuesday. Against the Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol, Real lost 2-1 in their own stadium. A few years ago, such results would have been unthinkable, as Barcelona and Real regularly dominated the Champions League.
Barcelona are looking for new managers and the current plan is to change – it could take some days. Process started with the whole board involved. Talking with many different candidates to replace Ronald Koeman. 🔴 #FCB # Barça
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 30, 2021
But those times are over now. While the situation at Barcelona's arch-rivals Real looks a little rosier due to their first place in the league, the Catalans are at their lowest point.
The focus of criticism is Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman. The Spanish media had shot at the Dutch coach weeks ago. After the bankruptcy in Lisbon, according to Mundo Deportivo, it was decided to say goodbye to Koeman. The Catalans have already discussed a replacement internally. The favorites to coach Barca are club legend Xavi, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez and Antonio Conte.
