Champions League: The Defeat Of Benfica Leaves Ronald Koeman On The Brink Of Barcelona.
Benfica vs Barcelona: Ronald Koeman said “I don’t know” three times when asked if he has the support of Barcelona’s management after a 3-0 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League left the Dutch manager on the brink of the farewell.
Ronald Koeman said “I don’t know” on three occasions when asked if he has the support of Barcelona’s management after a 3-0 loss to Benfica in the Champions League left the Dutch manager on the brink of capture.
Any credit earned for the morale-boosting victory over Levante on Sunday evaporated in Lisbon, where Barça were subjected to yet another European humiliation that casts doubt on their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. The club’s president, Joan Laporta, will hold a meeting on Thursday morning, according to the Catalan press, in which it will be decided whether Koeman should remain at the forefront of the Saturday League crunch against Atlético de Madrid.
That even a change is being considered before one of the most important games of the season, and that an international break is approaching immediately after, shows how little confidence remains in Koeman.
“I feel like I have the support of the players,” said the 58-year-old. When asked if he felt supported by the club, Koeman said: “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know.”
When Koeman, who played for Barça in 1989-1995, was appointed by Laportas’ predecessor Josep Maria Bartomeu in August 2020, the club said “welcome home!” and called it “a legend”.
But after an encouraging first season in which Barcelona won the Copa del Rey and were ultimately disappointed not to win the league, Koemans’ homecoming has quickly turned sour.
He has never enjoyed the backing of Laporta, who tried to find a replacement in the summer, but he was unable to find a suitable successor or, more likely, persuade him to join.
For a time it was a marriage of convenience, but the relationship has turned sour in recent weeks, with demands for support from Koemans and attempts to lower expectations met with growing irritation at the club.
“What I don’t like is an accepting attitude, a certain defeatism,” Laporta said last week. Barcelona’s dire economic situation would hamper any coach, as a number of veteran players have left and joined the lower ranks. Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann were allowed to leave, replaced by Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong.
Koeman has repeatedly emphasized that this team is not the Barcelona of yesteryear and expectations must be adjusted accordingly.
“We have changed a lot and we are missing some soldiers,” Koeman said. “I’m tired of always repeating the same thing. We have lost the players who made the difference. It’s clearer than water to me. ”
– Critical situation –
For a long time, many subscribed to Koemans’ mantra, as a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in recent Champions League seasons was hailed as a sign of progress, even though it came after a 4-1 defeat in the opening game.
But the excuses have been exhausted, partly due to the results (Barcelona have only won once in their last five games), but also to the performances, which have been increasingly devoid of creativity or identity.
When Barcelona took on Granada earlier this month, it wasn’t so much the draw as the fact that they ended up with defenders Gerard Piqué and Ronald Araujo up front.
“If you look at the (player) list, what are you supposed to do?” Koeman asked. Koeman will also know that despite the commotion, a team that features Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Depay, Sergio Busquets, Piqué and Marc-Andre ter Stegen should be better than the last of their Champions League group and sixth. in the league.
Koeman said he believes he has the support of the players, but when Busquets was asked if changing coaches would help, he didn’t put up much defense. “We are in a critical situation,” Busquets said.
Furthermore, it will be Laporta and the board who will make the decision about Koeman’s fate, and it seems more and more like a case of when he will leave, not yes.
Under the temptation of Paris Saint-Germain's unlimited funds, Lionel Messi is expected to arrive in Paris on Monday after bidding Read more
A source close to the matter told that football star Lionel Messi’s transfer to French club Paris Saint-Germain’s financial plan Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo scored in injury time when Manchester United defeated Villarreal 2-1 in a Champions League clash. Cristiano Ronaldo scored Read more
