Football News

Barcelona president can’t explain fourth goal

By Mohamed Moallim

Published: 17:35, 9 May 2019 | Updated: 19:08, 11 September 2021

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu can’t find the words to explain the fourth goal conceded against Liverpool.

Barça were humbled 4-0 at Anfield, which saw The Reds overturn a 3-0 deficit to reach consecutive European Cup finals, and ninth overall.

Another disappointing European night: Four things to know…

  1. For the second consecutive Champions League season Barcelona threw away a 3-goal first leg lead.
  2. 2017/18 quarter-final vs. Roma: went into second leg in Rome with a 4-1 lead before losing 3-0.
  3. 2018/19 semi-final vs. Liverpool: went into second leg at Anfield with a 3-0 lead before losing 4-0.
  4. Barça’s last European Cup final appearance was in 2015 (3-1 win over Juventus).

The decisive goal came with 11 minutes on the clock when right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick corner was slammed home by stand-in striker Divock Origi.

As it unfolded the minds of Barcelona’s players were seemingly occupied elsewhere as they could only watch Liverpool pulling off the unthinkable.

So fast it happened neither manager on the touchline, Jurgen Klopp or Ernesto Valverde, witnessed the moment. For many, that goal symbolised Barça’s whole game with many now calling for big changes this summer.

However, as far as club president Bartomeu is concerned, there needs to be cool heads even if he was left speechless by the Alexander-Arnold-Origi combination.

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“It has no explanation. I honestly do not know, I have not talked to the Coach or players about it,” he told reporters.

“I prefer not to talk right now about why this has happened and there will be time to reflect and explain, there will be a lot of internal questions.

“I feel particularly sorry for the fans, especially those who have travelled all the way here because this happened to us in Rome last year and now it has happened again.

“We now have a cup final (against Valencia) to prepare for.”

Double-double might not be enough

After successive humiliating Champions League exits the pressure is seriously mounting on manager Ernesto Valverde whose future is now under the microscope.

He’s not been unlucky in terms of silverware having bagged back-to-back Spanish championships and could achieve consecutive doubles if they defeat Valencia in the Copa del Rey on May 24th.

Before that encounter in Sevilla, there’s league meetings with Getafe (May 12) at home and then Eibar (May 18) away.