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Confused faces: FC Barcelona has not been able to start the new season. Image: keystone
Bankruptcies, mistakes and injuries: Barcelona sinks more and more into mediocrity
FC Barcelona is going through a sporting crisis and struggles after the third defeat in the eighth game. World star Lionel Messi is currently just a shadow of great days.
A giant slip by Marc-André ter Stegen made Lionel Messi’s disastrous anniversary really bad. As a daring outing by the German goalkeeper went spectacularly wrong, Barcelona conceded a 1-0 loss to Atlético de Madrid and sank lower and lower into the league median.
Even world star Messi (33) couldn’t prevent veteran Atlético coach Diego Simeone from celebrating a victory against Barça for the first time in the championship in his 800th game with the Catalans with a surprisingly poor performance.
Superstar Lionel Messi is not doing well this season either. Image: keystone
The key scene occurred in the added time of the first half. Atlético’s Yannick Carrasco played the ball some 40 meters in front of the goal with a little push under the leg of the hasty ter Stegen and then fired from great distance into the orphaned goal of the guests. This was preceded by a mistake from Gerard Piqué.
The decisive goal – Ter Stegen misses, Carrasco strikes. Video: streamja
“That shouldn’t happen to a team like ours,” Dutch coach Ronald Koeman said ruefully. The proud Catalans are now nine points behind Real Sociedad San Sebastan, which leads the league tied with Atlético. The eternal rival, Real Madrid, is fourth, six points ahead, but also disappointed in the 1-1 draw at Villarreal.
Injuries as an additional challenge
For Barcelona, however, this should bring little comfort, especially as defensive boss Piqué had to be replaced after the break due to a knee injury that was initially deemed very serious. Barcelona later announced that it could be just a knee compression.
Concerns for the defender: Gerard Piqué is still injured. Image: keystone
To complete the night in the dark, Sergio Roberto suffered a muscle injury to his right thigh and is expected to be out for a few weeks. “I’m really worried,” said Koeman, who has to do without the injured Ronald Araujo and young star Ansu Fati.
Not exactly ideal conditions for Tuesday’s game against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League. In the premier class, Barça is still on target and could secure early advancement. (dab / sda / dpa)
