After yet another demoralizing loss, struggling Barcelona face a grim future in the Champions League. The Catalan club followed its 3-0 opening loss against Bayern Munich with another 3-0 defeat at Benfica on Wednesday. (More Football News)
Bottom of its group, Barcelona suddenly sees itself in danger of not reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2000-01. 바카라We are in a critical situation,바카라 Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets said. 바카라We have zero points after the first two rounds.바카라
Darwin Nunez scored twice and Rafa Silva added another goal at the Stadium of Light to help Benfica end a 60-year winless streak against Barcelona. It was its second victory in eight matches against the Catalan club.
바카라We need to win our next two matches against Dynamo and then we바카라ll see what happens,바카라 Busquets said. 바카라We have to think positively and work to improve many things.바카라
The loss added more pressure on Barcelona coach Ronaldo Koeman, who hasn바카라t been able to make the team perform and has been at odds with club president Joan Laporta and even some of the players. The Dutch coach has said Barcelona has no significant chances of winning any titles this season.
바카라I don바카라t want to answer any more questions about my future because it is out of my hands,바카라 Koeman said. 바카라In the end the coach is always responsible. I feel I have the support from my players. I don바카라t know if I have it from the club.바카라
Last season, Barcelona failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006-07, losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 and ending its record run of 13 consecutive last-eight appearances.
Without Lionel Messi for the first time in nearly two decades, Barcelona has won only one of its last five games in all competitions, a disappointing run that started with the loss to Bayern at the Camp Nou Stadium. It has won only three times in eight matches in all competitions this season.
It was Barcelona바카라s fifth straight Champions League match without a win, having conceded 14 goals during that run. It didn바카라t have a single shot on target from eight attempts on Wednesday.
Benfica, which started its Champions League campaign in the third qualifying round, is unbeaten in 13 matches overall this season, with 11 wins.
바카라We are going through a very good moment. We have a lot of confidence,바카라 Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said. 바카라We knew we were facing a great opponent. We played well tactically and managed the game well.바카라 The hosts looked the more dangerous team from the start, as Barcelona struggled to take control and create opportunities.
Benfica opened the scoring in the game바카라s first shot on goal, with Nuñez finding the net from inside the area after easily getting past Barcelona defender Eric GarcĂa, who was sent off with a second yellow card in the 87th.
Nuñez almost added to the lead in the 52nd when Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen clumsily left his area and allowed the Uruguayan forward to have an open shot into the net, which ended hitting the post from very long range.
Silva scored the second in the 69th from close range after a failed attempt by João Mårio, and Nuñez sealed the victory by converting a 79th-minute penalty kick after a handball by Barcelona defender Sergiño Dest.
Benfica바카라s next Champions League match will be at home against Bayern in October. Barcelona hosts Dynamo before traveling to Ukraine.