On 24 October 2020, Barcelona suffered a home loss to rivals Real Madrid. Exactly one year later? The same thing happened.
This feeling of déjà vu in Catalonia is intensified because Ronald Koeman has overseen both defeats, and having also lost at the Bernabeu last season the Dutchman claimed the unwanted record of being the first Barcelona head coach to lose their first three Clásicos for 81 years.
The 2-1 loss on Sunday prompted Barcelona fans to surround their head coach’s car as he left the Nou Camp, with Koeman struggling to drive away as dozens of phone-brandishing supporters banged on the vehicle and made their feelings clear.
Barcelona condemned the “violent and disdainful acts” and vowed to take “security and disciplinary measures” to avoid a repeat scenario, while Koeman is yet to address the scenes having already completed his post-match media duties.
Ninth in La Liga after nine games, a win with their game in hand could lift Barca up a handful of places in the table, but it would still leave them off the pace as Real Madrid and Sevilla (both on 20 points after nine games) look to overtake leaders Real Sociedad (21 points after 10 games).
According to Marca, Koeman is not in danger of being sacked for now, but that could change if results do not improve in their next four matches – Rayo Vallecano (A), Alaves (H), Dynamo Kiev (A), Celta Vigo (A) – before the international break.
There is also the small matter of whether debt-ridden Barca can even afford to replace Koeman. The Guardian’s Sid Lowe reported it would cost €12m (£10.1m) to do so, while former bosses Ernesto Valverde or Quique Setien are still awaiting their severance packages too.
It makes for a connection that will likely have to last a little longer, and if that proves to be the case then Koeman will hope for a repeat of last year’s mini-recovery.
Last season, after the defeat to Real, a bumpy run followed for five league games – including a loss to Atletico Madrid and Cadiz – before the track then smoothed out and a 19-game unbeaten run (16 wins, three draws) helped Barca re-emerge as title challengers.
This pursuit fell short, but was an indication of what Barca are capable of against smaller clubs. Koeman’s record against big teams may make for terrible reading, but having already faced Real and Atletico in the league this season, it is not until February when the first reverse fixture takes place.
Koeman’s ‘big-game’ record at Barcelona
- 24 Oct 2020: Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid (La Liga)
- 28 Oct 2020: Juventus 0-2 Barcelona (Champions League)
- 21 Nov 2020: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Barcelona (La Liga)
- 8 Dec 2020: Barcelona 0-3 Juventus (Champions League)
- 16 Feb 2021: Barcelona 1-4 PSG (Champions League)
- 10 Mar 2021: PSG 1-1 Barcelona (Champions League)
- 10 Apr 2021: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona (La Liga)
- 17 Apr 2021: Athletic Bilbao 0-4 Barcelona (Copa del Rey final)
- 8 May 2021: Barcelona 0-0 Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
- 2 Oct 2021: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Barcelona (La Liga)
- 24 Oct 2021: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid (La Liga)
Before then however, Barca must dig deep to reach the Champions League knockout stages – a feat they have managed every season since 2001-02 – with a trip to Bayern Munich among their final three Group F fixtures before Christmas.
They also face Real again in the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah on 12 January, and so while a similar league run to last year could improve their standing, the next few months may not pass without a few more damaging outings.
Koeman will therefore look to his squad for a few favours, and though there is no Lionel Messi to lean on – he scored 19 and assisted eight in the 19-game run last season – there is another Argentine who could prove to be the Barca boss’ saviour.
Sergio Aguero can be forgiven for thinking he would be playing with his international team-mate when moving to Barca in the summer, but now he shares the daunting task, along with Memphis Depay and Ansu Fati, of filling Messi’s boots.
Aguero has played a grand total of 34 minutes this season, but his injury-time consolation against Real softened the scoreline and reminded supporters of what he is capable of when fit.
Of course, staying injury-free is key for Aguero – it was a factor in his Manchester City departure – but a run in the Barca side should only lead to one thing when you are talking about such a natural goalscorer, and if he can do what he does best, then Koeman will only benefit too.
No pressure, Sergio.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3bejJqA
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