Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Suarez: Barca defence like 'kids' in collapse

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 07 May 2019 17:39

LIVERPOOL, England -- Luis Suarez accused Barcelona of defending like kids and apologised to supporters after the Spanish champions collapsed to a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Liverpool as they were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday.

Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum both scored twice as Liverpool recovered from a three-goal defeat at Camp Nou last week to reach the Champions League final for a second season running thanks to a 4-3 aggregate win.

Substitute Wijnaldum scored twice in two minutes at the start of the second half before Origi added the winner in front of the Kop at Anfield when Barca switched off at a corner.

"It is inconceivable that we, Barcelona, concede two goals in just over a minute," Suarez told reporters. "We defended like kids for the fourth goal."

Ogden: Barca bear witness to Anfield's European magic

Barcelona player ratings: Alba 3/0 in another UCL heartbreak

Liverpool player ratings: Origi, Fabhino top list of heroes

Players, pundits react on social media to epic match

It's the second time in two seasons that the Catalans have given up a three-goal advantage in the Champions League. Last season they lost 3-0 to Roma after winning the first leg 4-1.

Suarez, who on his return to Liverpool was jeered and told to 'f--- off' by supporters that used to idolise him, said the players must be prepared for the criticism which will come their way in the coming weeks.

"We have to be really self-critical about what happened," he added. "It's the second time this has happened. We can't commit the same mistakes two years running. There are a lot of things to evaluate and to think about.

"We have to apologise for our attitude and we must be conscious that the criticism is going to rain down on us now. We're really upset, we're hurting a lot. We're humans and we feel the pain."

Coach Ernesto Valverde, who was made to carry the buck for last season's loss to Roma, also apologised to Barca's supporters.

"We're really sorry to the fans," he said in his postgame news conference. "We play to make them proud of us. Everyone expects us to win all the time but we have lost -- and in a very painful way.

"This is the first game we have lost in the Champions League this season but we are out because of it. The players are the ones that play on the pitch and they are hurting more than anyone.

"The most painful thing is to repeat [what happened in Rome]. It happened last season and it has happened again. But when you lose 4-0 you can't have any excuses. They were better than us and we have to accept it."

Despite winning back-to-back league titles since taking charge in 2017 -- and with the possibility of a second domestic double still on the cards -- Valverde's future may come under the microscope once again following one of the worst losses in Barca's history.

"I don't know how this affects my future," the coach added. "We haven't had time to think about those things. But here we are and the coach has to take responsibility."

Valverde only signed a contract extension earlier this year but president Josep Maria Bartomeu wasn't prepared to back his manager after the harrowing defeat at Anfield. Instead, he called for the focus to be on the Copa del Rey final against Valencia on May 25.

"We're in the heat of the moment after the loss," he told reporters when asked about Valverde's long-term future on the Camp Nou bench. "Now we have to pick everyone up and get back on track because we still have a cup final to play.

"There are going to be some difficult days ahead, but we have to go again. There will be time to reflect on what went wrong and explain things. There's a cup final to play in three weeks. The same happened in Rome last year. It's tough to explain. We will do it internally."

Read 1787 times

Soccer

Haaland on City slump: We're still backing Pep

Haaland on City slump: We're still backing Pep

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsErling Haaland criticised himself after Manchester City fell to ano...

Jesus haunts Palace again in Arsenal rout

Jesus haunts Palace again in Arsenal rout

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus proved a thorn in Crystal Palace's side once again as the Brazilian forward...

City hit new low as Rogers inspires Villa to win

City hit new low as Rogers inspires Villa to win

Aston Villa inflicted more misery on Manchester City on Saturday, defeating them 2-1 in the Premier...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Celts' Mazzulla fined $35K for comments to ref

Celts' Mazzulla fined $35K for comments to ref

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Joe Mazzulla's Christmas greetings were costly.The NBA...

Claxton fined $25K for throwing ball into stands

Claxton fined $25K for throwing ball into stands

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The NBA fined Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton $25,000...

Baseball

Sources: Goldschmidt to Yankees on 1-year deal

Sources: Goldschmidt to Yankees on 1-year deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFirst baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees are in agre...

Marlins reach 1-year contract with INF Wagaman

Marlins reach 1-year contract with INF Wagaman

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- The Marlins and infielder Eric Wagaman have agreed to a on...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated