FC Barcelona: Has Barcelona’s golden past overshadowed their recent struggles? Barca’s Champions League fate in Bayern’s hand – As Barcelona prepare for the ‘do-or-die’ clash against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League later this week, the focus is firmly on a certain Memphis Depay with other key players ruled out the important UCL clash. Anus Fati, Pedri, Gavi, Sergi Roberto & Braithwaite are some of the few names who would be missing out on the clash against Bayern Munich.
The 27-year-old Dutchman endured a difficult game against Real Betis this past weekend as Barca suffered their first defeat of the Xavi era. Since then, questions have been raised over whether he is a good fit in the side, while reports are even indicating that the player himself is considering an exit. Barcelona have been performing very poorly this season since their main man Lionel Messi left the club. The great club currently find themselves in a tough spot in the UCL and also they remain 7th in the League table. Follow Live Football news & updates
❝It’s our last chance. It is like a final❞ – @Memphis on #BayernBarça pic.twitter.com/Tm1FEQqOed
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 6, 2021
Depay outlines the game against Bayern Munich as their final chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 as their fate is in the hands of Bayern Munich and not to forget Robert Lewandowski who came second in the Ballon d’Or voting will look to take his revenge over the Spanish side.
Depay has scored eight goals in 20 games this season, but none of those have come in the Champions League. Despite having played the full ninety minutes in 19 of his 20 appearances across all competitions, the Netherlands international has failed to find the back of the net in 12 games and has not assisted a goal since mid-October.
Also Read: UEFA Champions League: Bayern vs Barcelona Champions League match to be held without fans
Barcelona’s Golden days: Barcelona who have been playing brilliant football all over the world by winning loads of titles in an around Europe by totally dominating teams. Has that dominant Barcelona come to an end? Have the success stories of Barcelona’s fairytale ended with their poor current form?
This team was the culmination of everything that FC Barcelona stands for, and produced an amazing string of major titles, including two Champions Leagues and three Spanish Leagues, plus the long-awaited Clubs World Cup, which was finally won in 2009, that extraordinary year when Barcelona won all six major trophies, something unprecedented in the history of European football. Barça broke all kinds of records, played memorable matches and won just about every title on offer.
But the finest hour for Guardiola’s side came at Wembley on 28 May, 2011, when the world was enchanted by the kind of football that dreams are made of. The world’s press bestowed praise on this extraordinary side that had written one of the most incredible chapters in the history of the game. The Guardiola era ended in 2012 but Barça continued their success under Tito Vilanova (the league in 2012/13) and Luis Enrique who in 2015 won the Champions League, the League and the Copa del Rey in another historic treble winning season.
FC Barcelona: Has Barcelona’s golden past overshadowed their recent struggles? Barcelona’s Champions League fate in Bayern’s hand
Speaking after the loss to Betis on Saturday, Xavi said: “Memphis has given us a lot, he moves well, but we couldn’t find him. You have to dare to create and be more daring in attack.”
Barcelona have scored just twice in the Champions League this season, both the goals coming in their two wins against Dynamo Kyiv. So, it goes without saying that Xavi & co. will need to change that if they are to stand a chance of winning against Bayern Munich come Wednesday.
And while they will be bolstered by the return of Ousmane Dembele, who looked bright in his cameo against Betis on Saturday, the onus will be on Depay to step up and deliver. Failure to do so will only ramp up the pressure on him and raise further questions.
FC Barcelona: Has Barcelona’s golden past overshadowed their recent struggles? Barcelona’s Champions League fate in Bayern’s hand
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