The problems accumulated in Barcelona the day before resulted in a crushing defeat in the Champions League quarterfinals against Bayern Munich with a score of 2: 8. The team set several anti-records, and experts, fans and the Catalans themselves started talking about the need for change.

The last time the blue garnet conceded eight goals 74 years ago, in the 1/16 finals of the Spanish Cup. Then he lost to Sevilla with a score of 0: 8. In addition, none of the Champions League rivals have previously managed to score four goals to Barça in one half.

One of the anti-records touched the long-term leader of Barcelona Lionel Messi. For him, this defeat was the largest in his career. The previous one - with a score of 1: 6 - dates back to 2009, when the Argentine national team lost to Bolivia in the qualifying round of the 2010 World Cup. At the same time, in the course of the match, the striker did not show effective actions on the field and, according to many experts, looked like a pale shadow of himself.

In this regard, rumors have reappeared that Messi may leave the team in the near future. Spanish media reported that the Catalan captain does not intend to renew the contract, which is valid until 2021. The reason for this is allegedly disagreements with the current management of the club. It is assumed that the next team of the Argentine may be "Inter".

Some experts have also suggested that the defeat at Bayern Munich could be the catalyst for Messi's departure.

“You can't play without intensity, without aggression, when you have nothing at all. Kike Setien instead of the striker releases the player into the center of the field, who does not take care of anyone. Here you cannot make a claim to the baby (Messi - RT ), because in such a situation there is nothing to say. I see the danger that the kid will get angry, realize that he has nothing to do here, and decides to leave, "- quotes the words of ex-midfielder Luis Suarez Miramontes Sports.ru with reference to Cadena SER.

Moreover, according to former England defender Rio Ferdinand, the Argentinean needs to take such a step.

“What was he thinking when he came home in the evening? Does he want to spend the rest of the time wearing the same shirt, given how his team is performing and looking at the moment compared to other European clubs? Does he have time to sit and wait? Football leaves your life as quickly as it comes into it, so will he want to spend the next couple of years, while he still has the strength to influence the course of matches, as now, without fighting for big titles? ”, - quotes Ferdinand Daily Mail.

The Englishman sees the reason for the current unsuccessful performances of Barcelona in the appointment of Setien to the post of head coach.

“They have a bad selection. They still rely on those who have long been on the team. There is a tremendous amount of work ahead. Someone will have to clean up Seten's rubble, but I think his appointment was originally a dead number. And who will go there now? ”Ferdinand added.

At the same time, some experts noted that one should not shift all the blame solely to the mentor of the Catalans. According to analyst Guillem Balage, he did not voluntarily fall into the center of Barcelona's intrigue, and former striker Chris Sutton noted that the specialist did not deserve to be in such a situation.

“He will be fired, he will not last long. The Barcelona coach should not be humiliated in this way. Absolute humiliation is exactly what happens to him, ”Sutton told the BBC.

The Spanish coach could indeed leave Barcelona soon. According to some sources, his fate will be decided at a meeting of the board of directors, while others claim that his days in this post are already numbered. Xavi, Ronald Koeman and Mauricio Pochettino are named as possible successors of Setien.

“I wouldn't be surprised if Pochettino is appointed in less than three days. He can attract young people, he is supported by Josep Bartomeu ", - suggested the former Barcelona footballer Francisco Carrasco.

Of course, after such a result, a flurry of discontent fell not only on the coaching staff, but also on the club's management. Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta criticized Bartomeu's comments that "some decisions have already been made."

“After such a painful defeat, Bartomeu's statements are a manifestation of cowardice and inconsistency. The incompetence of Bartomeu and his deputies deprives them of the right to further make decisions that determine the future of Barcelona, ​​Laporta wrote on Twitter.

Well-known journalist Andy West also recalled that due to the current leadership, the club is in a difficult financial situation, which in turn prevents the strengthening of the roster.

Barcelona are more interested in selling than buying. Several older players, including Ivan Rakitic, Artutro Vidal and possibly even Luis Suarez, may be leaving soon. The club is rotten to the core, and this process usually starts from the head, ”said West.

In turn, one of the best strikers in England's history, Gary Lineker, remembered an equally devastating result in the group stage match of the current Champions League, in which Tottenham and Bayern Munich met (2: 7).

“There is also a bright side: Spurs are as good as the current Barcelona,” joked Lineker.

Make that better. https://t.co/Ckek89XajO

- Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 14, 2020