“The invasion of Camp Nou ended in its complete occupation.” This is how the Spanish media this morning (Friday) described the dismal evening of Barcelona, which began with a takeover by Frankfurt fans of the stands of the home stadium, and ended with a lesson from the Germans on the grass as well.
The 3: 2 loss that ended Barcelona’s European season and a streak of 15 consecutive games without a loss under Xavi’s baton, took a heavy toll on the club, professionally and in terms of image. And if that wasn’t enough, there was also a worrying injury for Pedry, one of the stars of recent times. The 18-year-old midfielder was injured in the back thigh muscle, was replaced and initial tests revealed he was suffering from significant muscle damage. It is estimated that he will be absent for between a month and a half and two months, and will probably not return to play this season. In any case, Pedry will undergo another series of tests this morning.
Either way, in Barcelona they are preoccupied first and foremost with the “shame” that took place in the stands, as President Laporta himself defined it. Officially, only 5,000 tickets have been allocated to Frankfurt, but in practice close to 30,000 German fans are reported in the stands. In Catalonia, club members and Barcelona subscribers reportedly sold their tickets for as much as possible, and “made a buck” on Frankfurt fans who agreed to pay € 500 or more for a ticket.
The Barcelona ultras, who saw the German takeover in the stands, boycotted the first ten minutes of the game and were not encouraged during them. According to Xavi, it has severely hurt the morale of the players.
“There was a big mistake here on the part of the club. Everyone in the locker room is trying to understand how it happened,” the coach criticized the Barcelona management, which allegedly allowed the default. “It affected us, because the feeling was that it was a final game and the crowd was divided in half. It did not feel like a home game, and it is disappointing. It must not happen in our home game, even though it is not an excuse or an explanation for the loss.”
Club president Joan Laporta understood Xavi’s criticism, saying “he is right, there was a big mistake here. Everything that happened in the stands is a shame that must not be repeated. We must check what happened, and make decisions accordingly. Apparently our policy in cases “Such should be more difficult. As a Barcelona fan, I was ashamed tonight. I am still looking for the answers.”
As mentioned, even in the game itself Barcelona was disappointed, and presented a very penetrating defense alongside a confused attack. “We did not know how to attack, we did not play like in other games,” Xavi analyzed. “The disappointment is very big. Congratulations to Frankfurt, they deserve it. The goal for the rest of the season is to qualify for the Champions League.”
Ronald Araujo added: “It hurts to lose this game. We did what we prepared for. We made three mistakes, they punished us with three goals, but despite everything we played a good game.” The brakeman commented on what was happening in the stands: “I was surprised to see so many of their fans in our stadium. The club will have to check what happened.”
The numbers
* After 15 games without a loss in all competitions, the longest positive streak that Barcelona recorded in the Xavi era was interrupted.
* Four penalties have been scored against Barcelona in the last two games, exactly the same amount in the 55 games before.
* Barcelona have conceded eight goals off the field this season, their highest number since the 2005/06 season.
* Barcelona’s home balance in the games in the European factories is no less dismal. In the last eight games, they have achieved a lone victory, finishing three times in a draw and losing four times.
* Philipp Kostic is the first player to score and cook in the same match against Barcelona at the Camp Nou in a European setting, since Juninho Pernambucano in the Lyon uniform in March 2009.