Who Was Barcelona Coach When They Lost 8-2?
Football fans around the world were left stunned on August 14, 2020, when FC Barcelona suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The final scoreline read 8-2 in favor of the German powerhouse, marking one of the darkest moments in Barcelona’s history.
This crushing loss led to widespread speculation and questions about the person responsible for Barcelona’s embarrassing performance. The coach who bore the brunt of this defeat was none other than Quique Setién.
The Appointment of Quique Setién
Prior to becoming Barcelona’s coach, Setién had garnered attention for his impressive work with Real Betis. His attractive style of play and commitment to attacking football caught the eye of Barcelona’s board, who believed that his philosophy aligned perfectly with the club’s values.
Setién replaced Ernesto Valverde as head coach in January 2020. Valverde had achieved success during his tenure but faced criticism for what some considered a lackluster playing style. The appointment of Setién was seen as a move to revitalize Barcelona’s approach and bring back their trademark possession-based game.
The Champions League Disaster
Despite high hopes and expectations, Setién’s reign at Barcelona was marred by inconsistency and disappointing results. As the season progressed, it became evident that he struggled to impose his tactical ideas on an aging squad that seemed disjointed at times.
The match against Bayern Munich highlighted these shortcomings. From the initial whistle, it was clear that Barcelona were outclassed in every department. Bayern Munich exploited their defensive vulnerabilities ruthlessly, with players like Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry running riot.
- Defensive Fragility: Barcelona’s defense was exposed time and again, unable to cope with Bayern’s relentless attacks. The absence of a strong defensive structure allowed their opponents to score goals almost at will.
- Lack of Midfield Control: Barcelona’s midfield, once considered the heart of their game, was outplayed by Bayern Munich.
The likes of Thiago Alcântara and Joshua Kimmich dominated the center of the park, leaving Barcelona struggling to maintain possession.
- Inability to Capitalize: Despite having talented attacking players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, Barcelona failed to convert their chances into goals. They lacked the clinical finishing required at this level.
The Aftermath and Departure
The defeat against Bayern Munich sent shockwaves through the footballing world and triggered a series of events at Barcelona. Quique Setién faced immense criticism for his failure to prepare the team adequately for such a crucial match.
Ultimately, Setién’s tenure at Barcelona was short-lived. Following the disastrous Champions League campaign, he was relieved of his duties as head coach on August 17, 2020.
In Conclusion
The answer to the question “Who was Barcelona coach when they lost 8-2?” is Quique Setién.
Despite his initial promise and commitment to an attractive playing style, Setién’s inability to extract the best from his squad ultimately led to his downfall. The loss against Bayern Munich will forever be remembered as one of the darkest chapters in Barcelona’s history.