That it was restless in the boardroom of FC Barcelona is not news this season. That the unrest comes out so open and naked, also on the field, is worrying in the last straight line of the title race.
It has been something this season at Barcelona. Six board members resigned because they did not agree with the policy of chairman Josep Bartomeu.
Bartomeu has been accused of paying social media companies to put him in a bad light and certain players like Messi and Piqué.
There was also an incident between Messi and technical director Abidal about an interview Abidal gave. Bad signals, but that the rumble now also reaches the field, is even more dangerous on 6 match days from the end.
No one has yet to tell Lionel Messi that every move he makes is recorded by cameras in Spain. It’s hard to believe he didn’t know there would be a lot to do about how he ostentatiously ignored assistant Eder Sarabia in the final match against Celta de Vigo. (see video).
How long does Setién keep this up?
Messi’s behavior towards trainer Quique Setién’s regular T2 was further magnified by statements after the match of his best friend in the selection, Luis Suarez. Suarez said it is the staff’s job to analyze why the team continues to lose points on the move. An overt sneer.
According to Spanish media, it would have come to a discussion between the players and staff after the draw on Celta de Vigo. And trainer Setién did not deny that on Monday in a press moment. “These are minor incidents and I don’t think they are very important. We are in a circus where everyone throws oil on the fire if we don’t win.”
“In general, the atmosphere in the team is good. We don’t agree on everything, but there are no problems big enough to make a difference.”
Setién added “that he has no problem admitting that Barcelona is a level that he is not used to as a trainer and that he is in a learning process.” A dangerous statement, because it is no secret that someone with a lot of supporters in Catalonia is after his job.
Last year it was Cillessen and Neto who had to leave, now young and strategic players for the future have to leave to solve the problems of the board.
Xavi and candidate for president openly speak out
Xavi Hernandez, the ex-captain of Barcelona, just repeated now that “his greatest wish is to become a trainer of Barça. I already spoke to Barcelona in January, but that was not the right time.”
In 2021 there will be presidential elections and Xavi is also open about this. “Elections would be the perfect time to build something.”
No coincidence, because one of Xavi’s best friends will almost certainly be a candidate. That friend, Victor Font, could not be left behind with a public swipe in these turbulent times. He denounced the transfer from Arthur Melo to Juventus, which became official on Monday.
“The transfer shows once again that the current board gives priority to accounting and to a damaging system that was under pressure before the pandemic.”
“Last year it was Cillessen and Neto who had to leave, now young and strategic players have to leave for the future to solve their problems. Arthur’s change for Pjanic is an overestimate of the current market value of Pjanic and increases the wage burden for a player who is in the last straight line of his career. “
Font’s statements are a reference to the accounting procedure we explained earlier here.
Barcelona may perhaps avert the sporting crisis this evening with a victory against Atletico Madrid.
