LISBON: Gerard Pique says Barcelona’s “shameful” 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich saw them “hit rock bottom”, and called for sweeping changes at the club.
Barca conceded eight goals for the first time since 1946 as they were ripped apart by Bayern in their Champions League quarter-final.
To add to the embarrassment, it brought to an end their first season without winning a trophy in 12 years and marked a third successive season when they’ve suffered humiliating Champions League exits.
After also coming up short in LaLiga as Real Madrid won the title, Pique pulled no punches when summing up their predicament – saying the club urgently needs changes after falling as far as they can.
“We’ve hit rock bottom,” said Pique. “Shameful. We all need to reflect.
“The club needs changes, I’m not talking about the coach or the players. The team needs changes, it’s not the first, second or third time. Fresh blood is needed.”
“If I need to go for us to bring in new blood, I’ll go. We are not able to compete in Europe and it’s not working in La Liga. We can’t mask this any longer.”
Setien has spent just seven months in charge, but it’s clear from the way the team has been playing that he’s struggling to get the best out of his team.
Transfers haven’t helped, with all three of the clubs recent £100m signings not starting the crucial quarter-final tie – Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele on the Barca bench with Philippe Coutinho a substitute for Bayern.
Coutinho added insult to injury as he came on for Bayern to score twice and set-up a third in a late cameo that suggested he should have still been in the Barcelona ranks.
While those issues are not down to Setien, he still looks more than likely to leave his role sooner rather than later.
“It’s really painful,” said Setien. “Huge frustration. Barca is such a big club. This does damage and something will change for sure.
“It’s too early to think if I’ll continue or not, that doesn’t depend on me, there’ll be reflection given the importance of Barca of such a humiliating defeat.”
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