A “ridiculous” FC Barcelona has been heavily criticised for putting in what many believe was their worst performance of the season at Royal Antwerp on Wednesday evening.
Following the final whistle on the 2-1 Champions League defeat, there was talk of a crisis setting at the club as the pressure continues to grow on head coach Xavi Hernandez.
Barca took to the field leading Group H on 12 points with only a miraculous win from Shakhtar Donestk by numerous goals capable of snatching their top spot.
With seven changes made to the side that lost to Girona in La Liga on Sunday, many fans and pundits wouldn’t have begrudged Barca coming out second best in Belgium had they put up a fight.
What Barca delivered, however, was a terribly disjointed display that left a lot to be desired, and which only piled on the misery triggered when slumping seven points behind their Catalan neighbors in the title race.
Conceding after 76 seconds, Barca equalized through Ferran Torres but again fell behind with 11 minutes gone in the second half.
Marc Guiu looked to have sealed a point with his late leveler to make it 2-2, but the Blaugrana once more switched off at the back seconds later to lose their second match of the group phase in injury time.
Mundo Deportivo called Xavi’s men “ridiculous” while SPORT said it was a “night to forget” where Barca “collapsed”.
El Chiringuito host Josep Pederol claimed that they are a “broken” team and “an embarrassment”.
He also mocked Xavi and his remarks from the other day by saying that Barca are not “under construction” and instead “in decomposition”.
ESPN correspondent Moises Llorens announced: “Gentlemen, the crisis has arrived, (and it appears to be settling in) at FC Barcelona.”
He could be on to something, as Barca seems to be going from bad to worse under legendary midfielder Xavi with many a social media Cule already calling for his head alongside a squad clear out.
With two defeats on the bounce and four in nine games, Barca’s away trip to Valencia is make or break.
If they again slip up and Girona beat Alaves on Monday, Barca will be 10 points behind and can practically kiss the defense of their La Liga crown goodbye.
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