Battered, bruised and boring Barcelona...

Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Shocking performance at the Wanda

The wildest thing to have come out of that abject performance at the Wanda Metropolitano is that if it wasn’t for Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s best (actually worst) Manuel Neuer impression, we would’ve still come away with a point against Atletico Madrid.

However, no one could say it would’ve been deserved. That was simply awful from start to finish.

A few flashes aside, and where on another night we may have sneaked a goal or two, there was nothing remotely worth getting excited about.

What on earth was Ronald Koeman thinking by leaving Sergino Dest on the bench? As natural a Barca right-back as we’ve seen in years and he’s only played in order to help us try and save face?!

The Dutchman’s Barca is looking increasingly like his Everton and Southampton sides. Devoid of ideas, no zip to their play and frankly, we were boring to watch.

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It’s been over a decade since Koeman won a trophy as a manager, and we can safely say even before we’ve reached December that his habit of failure on that score will continue for another season at least.

Barcelona won’t come close to winning anything this season playing like this.

With the possible exceptions of Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique, not one Barca player can hold their head high.

Diego Simeone’s side didn’t even have to get out of second gear all evening, and on a night when much was riding on Antoine Griezmann’s performance, he wasn’t able to showcase his talent again.

He’s had more than enough chances now, and it’s abundantly clear that he isn't the right fit for this team. Unless the club are waiting to see if Messi leaves, and perhaps will try and build a team around the Frenchman from next season.

Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Nothing would surprise me from a team, squad and club that are like a rudderless ship at present.

When you look at the ‘talent’ that we had on show tonight; Messi, Dembele, Griezmann, Coutinho... and we get served up with that.

Out thought, out fought and out of the title race already.

With Pique almost certainly out for a while, and Sergi Roberto looking likely to join him on the sidelines, don’t bet against things getting worse before they get better.

Starting with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday. They were unlucky at Camp Nou, and they won’t need asking twice against a threadbare defence.

When will this nightmare ever end....

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