Madrid (AP) – FC Barcelona has already lost again. At Spain’s champions Atlético Madrid, the team led by national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen lost 2-0 (2-0) on Saturday.
Thomas Lemar (23rd) and Luis Suarez (44th) scored the goals for the home side. In the table, Barcelona have now slipped to ninth place. The pressure on coach Ronald Koeman will continue to grow after the recent bankruptcy. In Madrid, however, the Dutchman was not on the bench: after a red card on September 23, he was banned from two league games. His assistant coach Alfred Schreuder had taken over the coaching.
Even before the league game, Barcelona’s club president Joan Laporta had ruled out a separation from Koeman for the time being. «Koeman remains the coach of Barça. We think he deserves a leap of faith for many reasons, ”Laporta explained. Even a defeat against the reigning Spanish champions would not change this attitude, the club boss assured journalists in Madrid. Now it will show what his words are worth.
The calls for a change of coach had become louder in Catalonia after the 3-0 draw on Wednesday evening in the Champions League duel at Benfica Lisbon. Laporta said he understood the displeasure. «We all understand because the results are not correct. But I ask the fans to be patient with the coach. He deserves it. When the injured are ready for action again, the team will improve, ”said Laporta, referring to strikers such as Sergio Agüero and ex-Dortmund professional Ousmane Dembélé. The former club professional is a real “Barcelonista”. “Koeman loves the club”.
In the first premier class game, the 58-year-old Dutchman’s protégés also lost 3-0 at home against FC Bayern. In the league, Barça – which has to do without superstar Lionel Messi, who moved to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer – did not get going either.