Can FC Barcelona Stay Competitive In UCL This Year

Barcelona kicked off their Champions League campaign with a tough fixture against Bayern Munich. They have always been one of the favorite teams for Betway soccer betting to win the Champions League title. So far, the club has lifted five Champions League trophies and are also in it this season.

So, What Can Barcelona Fans Expect?

During this season’s Champions League tournament, Barcelona is in unfamiliar territory. They enter the contest as underdogs as opposed to previous seasons. For example, in 2015, their forward line of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar Jr. led the team to win the tournament. Six years later, the club is not in the right mindset to compete convincingly in the Champions League. They have suffered humiliating defeats, including surrendering a three-goal lead against Liverpool and Roma and the 8-2 humiliation in the hands of the Bavarians in 2020.

Loss of Key Players Could Hamper Their Chances

Barcelona is a team in transition under Ronald Koeman. For instance, the loss of key players such as Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, and Arturo Vidal poked holes in their squad. Additionally, the loss of Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi was a blow for the team. Nevertheless, the team’s squad is full of promising talent, which holds the club’s future in their hands. They also have great leaders such as Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. On the other hand, Memphis Depay has the responsibility to lead the team in its next chapter.

Bottom of the Group

After two matches, Barcelona is languishing at the bottom of Group E standings despite being in a favorable group on paper. They have 0 points in a group comprising Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Dynamo Kyiv, having lost their first two matches. Moreover, they have lost both games by three goals. Football betting fans on Betway would not have imagined a scenario where Barca are not favorites to win anything. To make matters worse, nothing seems to be working for them at the moment. For instance, there have been reports circulating in the media about them looking for a new coach. At the same time, they have Ronald Koeman under contract, and terminating his contract would cost them money they don’t have currently.

Can Barcelona Stay Competitive in This Season’s Champions League?

Based on the first two matches, Barcelona will not be competitive in this season’s Champions League. The fact that they are contemplating a new coach means that the current project is not working. Additionally, doing it in public might affect the current players’ confidence in their coach. Therefore, Champions League betting fans on Betway cannot put their money on Barcelona making out of the group stages.

What’s The Way Forward?

At the moment, the club has lost its identity. Koeman came back as a Barcelona legend to help steady the ship. However, he looks out of depth, and the club management has to look elsewhere.