FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has spoken following the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich: “It has been a very, very tough night. I am sorry for the Barça fans and members, for the players … For everyone. We were not the club that we represent, I am so sorry.”
He also commented that: “There are some decisions that we had already made, and others that we will make over the next few days. Announcements will be made from next week, we need to make decisions after things have calmed down. Today is a day for reflection. Tomorrow we will try to raise our fans’ spirits following such a heavy defeat.”
“It was a devastating result. I congratulate Bayern, they played a great game and deserved to go to the semi-finals. We were not up to the occasion, and we can only apologise to the members and fans.”
Rio Ferdinand has slammed the Barcelona board for mistakes in the transfer market since Neymar left the club – and believes the club are too reliant on Lionel Messi.
Ferdinand, who was speaking before Barca’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in which they fell 4-1 down, has highlighted transfer mistakes as the fact they have struggled this season.
And the former United Champion’s League winning defender also reckons their failure to deliver in the market has piled the pressure on Argentine star Messi.
“They’ve spent, what is it, £800m since Neymar left and still they’re reliant on Messi, who came through the youth system there and the older players in the team who were there before that was spent as well,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport.
“They’ve not recruited in terms of spending that money wisely I don’t think going forward.
“But listen, when you’ve got Messi in your team you can make a few mistakes because invariably he’s got them out of trouble.”
Barca left Griezmann on the bench for the first half and only Suarez earned a decent rating after the horror show in Lisbon. Messi was muted, though he did hit the post with one shot in the first half.
Credit:Football Tribe Malaysia
