Home / Sports / Chelsea Downs Barcelona: Kounde Own Goal, Red Card Doom Barça
Chelsea Downs Barcelona: Kounde Own Goal, Red Card Doom Barça
26 Nov
Summary
- Jules Koundé's own goal and a red card for Ronald Araújo preceded Barcelona's loss.
- Hansi Flick called for greater aggression and intensity from his Barcelona squad.
- Barcelona sits 15th in the standings, facing a potential Champions League group stage exit.
Chelsea capitalized on key moments to defeat Barcelona, with an own goal from Jules Koundé in the first half and further goals from Estêvão and Liam Delap in the second. The match turned significantly when Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo received a red card just before the break, leaving the team to play with ten men. This disadvantage proved insurmountable against a dynamic Chelsea side.
Following the match, Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, expressed his disappointment, particularly with his team's passive approach. He emphasized the need for increased aggression and a more dynamic presence in one-on-one situations, a quality he observed in Chelsea. Flick acknowledged the difficulty of competing in the Champions League with a numerical disadvantage but remained optimistic about future performances.
Barcelona players, including Eric García, described the night as "really bad." They identified issues with adjusting to Chelsea's pressure and struggling to maintain possession. The team faces upcoming crucial league fixtures against Alavés and Atlético Madrid, alongside Champions League ties against Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, and Copenhagen, as they aim to improve their standing.
