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Barcelona’s fortunes took another downward turn after Benfica beat the besieged Catalan club 3-0 in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday.
It was the second straight loss in the competition with a three-goal margin for Ronald Koeman’s side, following a loss to Bayern Munich by the same score two weeks ago.
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It adds additional pressure on Koeman, who has come under huge criticism and could potentially be sacked in the midst of an equally lackluster start to the season.
“It’s a difficult result to accept, and it’s not what we’ve seen on the pitch,” Koeman said.
“Although we conceded early, we were good until it got 2-0. We had a number of scoring chances and didn’t grab them. match.
“If they score the three chances they create for themselves and we don’t, then that’s the big difference between the teams.”
Koeman insisted the players were behind him as they attempted to change form, but said he wasn’t sure if the board felt the same.
“I’m not going to discuss the level of my team. There is no point in comparing that with the Barcelona teams of yesteryear. It’s crystal clear,” said the Dutchman.
“I can only give you my opinion on my work at the club – I feel supported by my players and their attitude. The rest, the club, I am not sure … I cannot say more, because I I don’t know what the club thinks about that. It’s not in my hands. “
Barca captain Sergio Busquets also said part of the blame lay with the players on the pitch.
“In the end, the easy thing is to get rid of the coach, but we are all responsible. The truth is we are in dire straits,†Busquets said.
“We’re only two games away from the group stage. We have to focus on improving.
“We have to win our next two games against Dynamo Kiev and see how the other two do. There is a long way to go and we have to try to be positive.”
Uruguayan star Darwin Nunez scored two goals for Benfica on the night to lead the Portuguese power to victory in an electric night in Lisbon. Nunez’s first goal came just three minutes into the game when he passed Barca’s baseline and cut to the left for the finish at the near post.
Benfica’s Lucas Verissima then made a final block to stop Luuk de Jong at close range as Barcelona looked to get back into the game, but they were second throughout.
Jorge Jesus’ side continued to build the pressure after the break, with Rafa Silva doubling Benfica’s lead in the 69th minute when he jumped on Joao Mario’s first shot.
Benfica continued the assault when Nunez saw a shot cut the text after beating Marc-Andre ter Stegen on a through ball.
But Nunez got his brace when he converted a penalty in the 79th minute after Sergino Dest was cautioned for a handball inside the box.
Barcelona ended the night with 10 men after Eric Garcia showed his second yellow card on the night.
Barca are at the bottom of Group E with no points in two games, six behind leaders Bayern and four adrift from Benfica. Dynamo Kiev is third by one point.
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