Barcelona's hopes in the Champions League suffered a devastating blow on Tuesday evening, as Hansi Flick's side were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by a dominant Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Spanish press delivered a ruthless verdict on the performance, describing the team as 'unrecognisable' and lamenting a 'nightmare' outing in London that leaves their European campaign in serious jeopardy.
A Night to Forget at Stamford Bridge
From the opening whistle, Chelsea were on the front foot, putting the Barcelona defence under immediate pressure. The home side thought they had taken the lead in just the fourth minute, only for the goal to be ruled out.
The breakthrough finally came in the 27th minute, and it was a calamitous one for the visitors. A shambolic own goal from defender Jules Kounde handed Chelsea the lead, setting the tone for a difficult evening.
Barcelona's task became exponentially harder just before half-time when Ronaldo Araujo received a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Marc Cucurella. His dismissal left the Catalan side with ten men and staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat.
Spanish Media's Brutal Assessment
The capitulation did not go unnoticed in Spain, with the country's leading sports publications pulling no punches in their criticism. Mundo Deportivo headlined that Barcelona were 'far from its level' and suffered a 'resounding KO', adding that Chelsea could have scored 'even more' goals.
Another Spanish outlet dubbed the performance a 'nightmare', stating that Chelsea had 'run over' Barcelona, who subsequently 'got into trouble' and created a 'disaster'. Both newspapers highlighted that the result leaves the club stuck in 15th place in the Champions League standings.
In Catalonia, L'Esportiu described Barcelona as 'tight-fisted', offering 'a very poor version' that made Chelsea's job easier. The publication stated that Araujo's 'unforgivable sending-off' turned the second half into 'an exercise in impotence for the Blaugrana'.
Sport was equally damning, with a front page that cried 'not like this, Barca', agreeing that the team was unrecognisable from the one that has impressed in domestic competition.
Scathing Player Ratings for Barcelona Stars
Inside the pages of Sport, the verdict was no less miserable for Barcelona fans, as the outlet delivered brutal player ratings.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, in his much-anticipated first appearance on English soil, was handed a mere 4 out of 10. The report stated he 'started bright and electric, but faded along with the rest of the team far too quickly', becoming 'isolated and invisible'. He was replaced to mocking chants from the Chelsea supporters.
Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, received the same low grade for his substitute appearance, with the rating noting he 'couldn't act as an agitator' and was 'neither seen nor sacrificed in defense'.
The lowest ratings of all, a paltry 3 out of 10, were reserved for Ronaldo Araujo for his sending-off, Jules Kounde for his 'worrying performance' and own goal, and Ferran Torres for missing a clear chance. The team's highest-rated player, Alejandro Balde, only managed a six.
The Spanish press also turned its attention to a standout performer for Chelsea, questioning how Marc Cucurella was allowed to leave Barcelona's academy. The left-back, who was named Player of the Match, was praised by his manager Enzo Maresca as 'phenomenal' for his role in a masterful Chelsea victory that has left Barcelona's European ambitions in tatters.
