Ronald Koeman receives player backing in wake of Champions League loss at Benfica

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Barcelona slump to heavy Champions League defeat at Benfica

Spanish juggernaut Barcelona crashed and burned on a Champions League night in Lisbon when they were thumped 3-0 by Portuguese giants SL Benfica at the Estádio da Luz tonight, throwing fresh speculation on how long boss Ronald Koeman has on the Camp Nou touchline.

Rafa Silva’s second-half strike was sandwiched by a brace from Uruguayan hitman Darwin Núñez on either side of halftime as As Águias climbed into second in Group E behind Bayern Munich who put a 5-0 hurting on Dynamo Kyiv at the Allianz Arena.

With that result, Barça have slumped to two defeats to kick off their Champions League campaign and are very much on the outside looking in on the continent as they sit bottom of the group while failing to score a single goal in the process after losing to Bayern on match day one by the same scoreline.

Key players rally around Koeman in wake of consecutive European defeats

With #KoemanOut beginning to flash across Twitter tonight, there is no telling what the limit will be regarding how long Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman will have enough support to keep his position as manager.

As the Blaugrana have their backs against the wall in Europe on top of a domestic campaign that already sees them 5-points back of table-topping Real Madrid (though they do have a match in hand, while having yet to lose; 3-3-0) it was only a matter of time before Barcelona players would have to come out in open support for Koeman.

Fellow countryman and Dutch international midfielder Frenkie de Jong leapt to the defense of the former Barcelona fan-favorite, while career servant and club captain Sergio Busquets levied similar sentiments as his midfield partner.

With rumors that Koeman was on the verge of being sacked as well as Barcelona fans calling for his immediate sacking as recently as nine days ago, an immediate improvement in results is paramount.

Key Barcelona players rally around Ronald Koeman after historic Champions League defeat

BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 16: Head Coach Ronald Koeman of FC Barcelona looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou on February 16, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Caparros – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

As things stand, Barcelona have now earned just one point in their last-five Champions League fixtures under Koeman while surrendering 14-goals and scoring just two of their own.

An early exit from Europe’s premier club competition is a real possibility, and with the potential of once again missing out on a La Liga title under his tenure, the situation is sure to reach desperate levels without drastic course correction.

Read more:

Barcelona hit historic low as time surely up on Ronald Koeman’s reign



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