Barcelona's Champions League ambitions hang by a thread after suffering a devastating 1-0 defeat to Belgian side Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Catalan giants, who entered the competition as one of the favourites, now find themselves in a precarious position with just one point from their opening two Group H matches. Former Barcelona B striker Ferran Jutglà returned to haunt his old club, netting the decisive goal in the second half that sent shockwaves through European football.
Nightmare Start for Xavi's Men
Barcelona's performance fell woefully short of expectations, with the Spanish side struggling to break down a disciplined and determined Club Brugge defence. Despite fielding a star-studded lineup including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, the visitors created few clear-cut opportunities throughout the match.
The winning moment arrived in the 52nd minute when Jutglà, who spent three years in Barcelona's youth system, showed impeccable timing to meet a cross and guide his header past Marc-André ter Stegen. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the home supporters while leaving Barcelona players visibly shaken.
Growing Pressure on Barcelona
This result compounds Barcelona's European woes after their opening 2-2 draw with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. With two matches played, Xavi's team sits third in the group, already trailing leaders Club Brugge by five points.
The performance raised serious questions about Barcelona's ability to compete at the highest level, despite significant summer investment in their squad. Manager Xavi Hernández now faces mounting pressure to turn around their European fortunes quickly.
What This Means for Barcelona
- Only one point from two Champions League matches
- Five points behind group leaders Club Brugge
- Growing pressure on manager Xavi Hernández
- Uphill battle to qualify for knockout stages
- Next European fixture becomes must-win encounter
Barcelona must now regroup quickly ahead of their crucial El Clásico clash against Real Madrid this weekend, though this Champions League setback will undoubtedly cast a shadow over their preparations.
