Ten Times Barcelona Suffered Heavy Defeats In Champions League Since 2017

Published

3 years ago

December 9, 2021

NewTimes

Ten Times Barcelona Has Suffered A Heavy Defeat In Champions League Since 2017

Barcelona’s embarrassing Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night made it ten defeats they’ve suffered in just the last four years.

Xavi Hernandez’s arrival in the dugout was meant to signal a new era for the Blaugrana, but it was more of the same in Bavaria, with the Catalans looking no match for their elite opponents.

It’s unfair to throw too much of the blame at Xavi’s door, given how far back the problems date from.

Indeed, the first of those 10 thrashings was in 2017 at the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain.

That 4-0 almost seemed like an accident, given it occurred to a Luis Enrique team that contained the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Andres Iniesta.

And the 6-1 remontada back at the Camp Nou certainly papered over the cracks that the Parisians had exposed.

But it was a sign that an era was ending, and the 3-0 loss to Juventus three weeks later confirmed just that, as did the exits of Luis Enrique and Neymar.

The humbling results in Europe came thick and fast in the ensuing seasons, with the 3-0 reverse at the hands of Roma in 2018 followed by the well-documented 4-0 to Liverpool.

But worse remarkably was to come with the now infamous 8-2 hammering by Bayern in 2020, a result that led Messi to send his Burofax message demanding a transfer.

The little maestro ended up staying but the embarrassments continued, with a 3-0 loss to Juventus followed by a 4-1 defeat to PSG.

As such, and with the club’s issues so well known, the beatings have been more expected this term but no less painful, going down 3-0 twice to Bayern and also to Benfica.

That makes up the 10 terrible nights, and now comes the ignominy of competing in the Europa League after their group phase exit from the Champions League.

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Manchester United Axe Ten Hag

Published

2 months ago

October 28, 2024

NewTimes

By John Michael

Manchester United on Monday announced the departure of Erik ten Hag as the club’s head coach.

The former Ajax boss leaves the English side in fourteenth position after nine games.

While making the announcement in a statement, the club stated that former player, Ruud van Nistelrooy, would take charge as the interim coach.

It reads: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

Sports

FG Approves January For National Sports Festival

Published

7 months ago

May 25, 2024

NewTimes

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

The Federal Government has approved January, 2025 as the official date for the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games, Ogun 2024.”

In a communique released after the first National Council on Sports, held at the Old Government Lodge, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, Enugu State, the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh extolled the government of Ogun State for its commitment to the successful hosting of the festival.

He noted that the National Sports Festival plays a vital role in national unity, as it would also increase the socio-economic growth for the sustainable development of the state and the country in general.

The minister also urged the federal and state governments to bid and host national and international sports competitions to fast-track the growth of sports in the country.

He urged all key stakeholders to play active roles towards the successful hosting of the Gateway Games, saying the Council of Sports is in support of the establishment of Sports Development and Investment Fund (NSIDF) with its attendant benefits for driving sports development in Nigeria.

While fielding questions from journalists shortly after the meeting, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka revealed that the state government is ready to host the National Sports Festival.

He submitted that the NSF has the ability to bring people together, to foster teamwork and cooperation and instil values of discipline and perseverance in humans, and encourage the vast youthful population in the state to embrace the power of sports in community development.

He stated further that targeted funding and incentives are crucial for driving grassroots sports engagements and ensuring the sustainability of sports programmes in the state.

“Through the power of sports, we have the opportunity to come together, forge connections, and celebrate our shared humanity. We are leveraging the Building Our Future Together Agenda, of the Governor, to develop sports at the grassroots,” he said.

Sports

Barcelona Shows Xabi The Exit Door

Published

7 months ago

May 24, 2024

NewTimes

By John Michael Ojo

Spanish football giant, Barcelona has relieved Xavi Hernandez of his role as the head coach of the club.

This was revealed by the club via its official website on Friday.

The statement reads in part: “Today Friday, FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta has informed Xavi Hernández that he will not be continuing as first team coach in the 2024-25 season.

READ ALSO: Ten Times Barcelona Suffered Heavy Defeats In Champions League Since 2017

“FC Barcelona wishes to thank Xavi for his work as coach, as well as for his inimitable career as a player and as team captain, and wishes him every future success in the world.

“Xavi Hernández will be coaching the team for the last time in Sunday’s game away to Sevilla.”