Barça threatens another Champions League exit: Busquets struggles with yield

Dependent on support

A story from the previous season could repeat itself at FC Barcelona: After the 3: 3 (1: 0) against Inter Milan, the Blaugrana threatens to end in the Champions League. Accordingly, coach Xavi was at a loss after the draw, which should not be enough to progress. “It’s hard to say anything,” said the coach. “We played well in the first half and deserved more. But this is football. We made a lot of mistakes,” complained the 42-year-old. It was “brutal for us”. If Inter score three points in the remaining two games against Viktoria Pilsen and FC Bayern, who have had no chances or points so far, Barça would fail in the group phase even if they won two of their own like last year.

At that time, it was only enough for third place in a group with FC Bayern, Benfica Lisbon and Dynamo Kyiv, which is why the Catalans continued in the Europa League for the first time in the club’s history. In the previous 16 seasons, Barça had always secured progress in the “premier class”, even winning the title four times. Robert Lewandowski had averted the early end against Inter with two goals. The 34-year-old made it 2-2 and 3-3 (82’/90’+2′), the 1-0 for the Catalans was scored by former Dortmund player Ousmane Dembélé (40′). Barcelona’s defense in particular shook against Inter, Nicolò Barella (50′), Lautaro Martínez (63′) and Robin Gosens (89′) punished the gaps. Barça goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen had to save the 3: 3 with a world-class save in injury time – but one point is probably not enough.

“It’s disappointing,” said Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets, explaining: “It’s a difficult group but we should have done better with all the new signings.” With €153m in investments, Barça have been one of the most spending clubs in the Summer transfer window, only five clubs paid more for new players. The amounts paid went only to Raphinha (25), Jules Koundé (23) and Lewandowski (34), while a quartet came on a free transfer. Blaugrana boosted squad value to €813.7m, surpassing six clubs worldwide. As of now, Barça would be the most valuable club at that level if they were relegated to the Europa League. Busquets said that the Champions League end was not yet sealed, “but it will be very difficult now because we are no longer dependent on ourselves”.

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