For the first time ever, FC Barcelona lost their first two games in the European championship competition with the two 3-0 defeats against FC Bayern and now at Benfica.
“Benfica were physically strong and also fast. However, I think we simply have to defend better on the first and second goals,” summed up Ronald Koeman, who has long been controversial in Barcelona, after the game. “We also had some really good scoring chances and so the direction of the game could have been changed. But when Benfica take the majority of their few chances, that’s just been the big difference between the two teams tonight,” the Catalan coach continued.
Koeman: “It’s as clear as water “
The 58-year-old had his problems with the clear final result of another 0:3 – just like in the CL opener against FC Bayern: “It’s hard to accept. I don’t think the result matches the game we saw,” Koeman said. “Despite the early deficit, we played well until 0:2.” But just did not score the possible goals.
On his team’s current performance, the Dutch Barça coach said, “I’m not going to complain about the level of my team. But of course it makes no sense to compare the current team with the one a few years ago. It’s as clear as water. I can only give them an assessment of my work here – and I feel supported by my players and their attitude.”
Landsman gets behind coach
With Frenkie de Jong, who had just been one of the assets in the first half of the match in Lisbon, one player promptly also publicly backed his compatriot: “In my opinion, changing the coach is not a solution. There are still enough games to go on. We have to get through this situation together and work hard.”
Meanwhile, the fixture list is not too kind to the Catalans. Before they are already under enormous pressure in the Champions League at home against Dynamo Kiev (20 October, 6.45pm), Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday (9pm) – and a week later at home against another league rival in Valencia FC.
