If this is the future Koeman talked about for Barca, he has to go

Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images

Has no business being in charge

Ronald Koeman is having us all on isn’t he?

There can’t be any other explanation for what was another disjointed performance from the Blaugranes.

Three centre-backs so Barça could flood the midfield was shown not to work within the opening two minutes.

Whilst at the other end, the visitors had a striker who couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo. Frankly, it’s embarrassing just how bad Luuk de Jong is.

I mean no disrespect to him, however, he wasn’t ever going to be good enough for Barcelona.

Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images

Memphis Depay needs to up his game too. He’s not quite lowered himself to De Jong’s level but has dipped significantly in terms of his finishing of late.

No shots on target against a defence of Otamendi and Vertonghen!

Passing between the entire XI was laboured, with players lazy in possession.

Late into the second half, the hosts were still full of running, routinely beating any of those wearing yellow to the first and second balls, with any leadership and drive completely absent both on and off the pitch.

Two of the most experienced players in Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre ter Stegen completely lost their minds in either half too.

5 - Barcelona's last five Champions League matches:

0 wins
1 draw
4 defeats
2 goals
14 goals conceded

Trouble. pic.twitter.com/j0aGgqEJVv

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 29, 2021

Why didn’t either Oscar Mingueza, Samuel Umtiti or Clement Lenglet replace Pique after Koeman (quite rightly) subbed him off? Why did Frenkie, our best player to that point on the night, have to be sacrificed and used in defence, taking away any spark and verve the team had?

Why did Koeman take off Busquets when it was clear Barca needed an experienced head. The tactics and substitutions were abysmal and it felt as if Koeman had just given up. Was he saying to the board: ‘sack me. I dare you?’

That’s five Champions League games without a win if we take into account last season too, and the first time ever Barça have lost their opening two matches in the competition.

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

On the strength of Wednesday’s performance, can you honestly see the side overcoming Dynamo Kyiv?

The hardest thing to accept as a culer was the ‘hit and hope’ style the team appeared to employ for the most part. The type of anti-football that supporters of the club detest.

No one, with the possible exception of Pedri, on his return from injury, and Frenkie, got their foot on the ball, got it down on the deck and played the short, sharp passing style that’s expected.

Koeman will of course look for excuses but this one is on him.

Even taking into account the mitigating circumstances of playing the youngsters etc., the manager showed once again how utterly incompetent he is.

He has to go now.

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