The giant FC Barcelona, which is in debt with over a billion euros, is betting on its own future before the season. It should be extremely successful in the short term. Robert Lewandowski is committed as the central figure. But in the Champions League he only prolongs the suffering. Mission failed?
Robert Lewandowski with his goals and Marc-André ter Stegen with a sensational parade were able to extend the suffering of the Spanish giants FC Barcelona in the Champions League in the 3: 3 (1: 0) against Inter Milan. The former superstar of FC Bayern Munich scored a brace, the German international goalkeeper saved his club from being eliminated from the preliminary round after just four games with a spectacular injury-time act. But the Catalans won't go much further this season. Already after or even before the next game, against FC Bayern Munich of all places, the end could be sealed. Hard to avoid: another massive setback for the struggling super club after the already disastrous last Champions League season and the subsequent debacle in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt.
"It's hard to say anything," said coach Xavi Hernandez after the spectacular 3-3 draw at the Camp Nou. "We played well in the first half and deserved more. But that's football. We made a lot of mistakes," he complained. "It's brutal for us." The brutality of football was particularly evident in the 89th minute. The German national player Robin Gosens met in the middle of Barcelona's urgent phase. The Inter Milan full-back slipped away on the left and converted a quick combination with his goal to make it 3-2.
Shortly before, Barcelona had ushered in a wild final phase with Robert Lewandowski's equalization in the 82nd minute, which finally came to an end after another goal by the Pole to make it 3:3 in the 92nd minute. Also because keeper ter Stegen showed an almost impossible save against Kristjan Asslani in return. At the end of the wild roller coaster ride, in which Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué in particular repeatedly took Inter on the journey in front of the Spaniards' goal, there was a draw that could spell disaster for Barcelona. Athletically and financially.
"The end of the Champions League cost us around twelve million euros last season," said Vice President Eduardo Romeu just last week: "We expected income that didn't come in, but of course we also saved costs. We want to this season we win La Liga and get to the quarter-finals of the Champions League." That will very likely not happen and the losses are likely to be well over twelve million euros.
Bayern Munich travel to the Camp Nou in two weeks and could end all the Catalans' hopes of reaching the knockout stages. "Of course" you know that, commented Bayern legend Thomas Müller at the parallel game in Pilsen and reported how the "crazy events" in Barcelona were also heard in the Czech Republic.
It could all be over for Barcelona when they kick off at the Camp Nou in two weeks' time. With Inter Milan playing Viktoria Pilsen at 18.45 on October 26, the Barcelona clash could already be meaningless. The 3:3 on Wednesday brought the Italians the victory in a direct comparison after the 1:0 in the first leg. You only need three points from two games. Even an average performance should be enough against the Czechs, who have so far been hopelessly inferior.
"It's out of our hands," admitted coach Xavi Hernandez after the 3-3 win, which despite everything may have felt like a defeat. The second preliminary round in the Champions League in a row would mean another setback for Barcelona. The last victory in the premier class is now eight seasons ago, long since the English clubs have taken over the helm alongside permanent title holders Real Madrid. Barça is just a passenger who has not been clear for a long time how he wants to pay the bill at all.
In the summer, the club had made a bet on future sporting successes, including selling 25 percent of the TV rights for 25 years to the investment company Sixth Street and holding shares in the "Barça Licensing
"We are activating economic levers and implementing our patient, sustainable and efficient strategy to strengthen the club's financial base," said club president Joan Laporta at the end of June, seeing Barça on the way back to former glory. By the end of the transfer summer, the club had not only invested over 150 million euros in new players, because in addition to Lewandowski, Jules Koundé and Raphina came for a total of over 100 million euros, but was also left with Dutchman Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder was due to be sold to Manchester United for a hefty sum but was reluctant to be sacked despite pressure from Barça.
With the end of the Champions League in mind, Barcelona could try to get more players out as early as January. With Antoine Griezmann they have already recorded their first exit. The Frenchman has long been back for Atlético Madrid, the club he once left for Barça for 120 million euros, but the capital city only transferred around 20 million euros in winter. What a deal.
While the summer expenses have paid off so far, at least in the domestic La Liga and the team is enthroned at the top of the table before the Clásico against Real Madrid next weekend, they are now facing a big shambles in the Champions League. An end in the premier class would not only result in financial damage, but would also drag the already battered image of the Catalans further into the abyss in addition to morale. "We can only look ahead, prepare for the Clásico on Sunday and focus on La Liga. It's very, very difficult and very complicated for us in the Champions League now," commented coach Xavi - a realistic assessment.
