Lewandowski coach at odds with Bayern after almost knockout - "Cruel Champions League"
Created: 10/14/2022 10:37 am
By: Patrick Mayer
"Life insurance" of FC Barcelona: ex-Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski.
© IMAGO / Nicolo Campo
Robert Lewandowski saves FC Barcelona from the Champions League with a last-minute goal.
Coach Xavi quarrels - and looks to Munich.
The Spanish press analyzes ruthlessly.
Munich/Barcelona – The frustration was written all over Robert Lewandowski and his comrades-in-arms.
After the 3: 3 (1: 0) against Inter Milan, FC Barcelona has to worry more than ever about the round of 16 of the Champions League this season.
Even more: The Catalans can thank the former goalscorer of FC Bayern Munich that they can still hope to advance in the premier class.
Albeit minimal.
FC Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski and his club are facing the Champions League
It was a real thriller at Camp Nou on Wednesday evening: After ex-Dortmund player Ousmane Dembélé (40th minute) had given the Spaniards the lead, the Italians equalized through Nicolo Barella (50th).
Finally, Lewandowski (82'/90'+2') equalized a two-time lead for Milan through the outstanding Argentinian Lautaro Martinez (63') and German international Robin Gosens (89').
At the same time, Bayern had already qualified for the next round with a 4-2 (4-0) win at Viktoria Pilsen.
And in Barcelona?
On the Mediterranean coast there is - at least in terms of football - sadness.
The Catalans, spoiled by success, have just four points after four matchdays.
That means only third place in Group C, behind Munich (12 points) and FC Internazionale (7), who now hold all the aces in the battle for second place.
Is 34-year-old Lewandowski and Barcelona threatened with fiasco?
In the video: Thanks to double packer Goretzka - FC Bayern early in the Champions League round of 16
The Spanish
AS
headlined their website: "Barça depends on a miracle.
The Blaugrana team is on the edge of the European abyss." Xavi's "project" received "a very hard blow four days before the Clásico," wrote the sports newspaper, referring to the classic at Real Madrid on Sunday (4:15 p.m.).
Barcelona-based
Mundo Deportivo
wrote even more hopefully: "Inter leave Barcelona in anticipation of a miracle." Too much optimism?
FC Bayern is in the round of 16 of the Champions League - FC Barcelona before the knockout
"This Champions League is very cruel," explained Barça coach Xavi at the press conference and also quarreled with FC Bayern as group opponents: "We conceded a lot in the second half.
The first half was excellent again.
This season from Munich (
0:2 in the first leg, ed
. ) to Milan (
0:1 in the first leg
) is cruel this season.
We deserved more, but this is the Champions League."
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This Champions League is very cruel.
Barça coach Xavi
Football is a game of mistakes "and we didn't defend well today," said Xavi, adding: "The intensity was excellent in the first half.
We had to keep going and we paid dearly for mistakes.
Very serious mistakes that cost us the game.” The former player accepted the recent failure in a mixed European Cup season: “I think the approach was good.
Perhaps I failed to convey the intensity in the second pass.
If the defense fails, I fail too.
If Piqué or Busquets fail, I fail as a coach.
I take full responsibility.” Will it help?
Goal to equalize 3: 3: Robert Lewandowski (left) saves FC Barcelona from the premature elimination of the Champions League.
© Josep LAGO / AFP
Robert Lewandowski: Hardly a chance with FC Barcelona in the premier class
"Barça in the hands of the Pilsener", commented the
as
.
What does that mean: On the coming match day (October 26), Barcelona will receive the German Bundesliga record champions in Camp Nou.
And only at 9 p.m.
If Inter Milan beat the Czech champions from Pilsen on the same day, that would be it for the Spanish football giants.
Striking: The game in Lombardy will kick off at 6.45 p.m.
Internazionale would be six points ahead of Barca if they won, even with two wins in two remaining games and a defeat for the Italians at Munich's Allianz Arena.
Because: In the Champions League, a direct comparison between two teams with the same number of points would count - and the Italians won this one.
(pm)
