Koeman on the brink after Benfica loss

After yet another demoralizing loss, struggling Barcelona faces a grim future in the Champions League.

The Catalan club followed its 3-0 opening loss against Bayern Munich with another 3-0 defeat at Benfica on Wednesday. Bottom of its group, Barcelona suddenly sees itself in danger of not reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2000-01.

"We are in a critical situation," Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets said. "We have zero points after the first two rounds."

Darwin Nunez scored twice－including three minutes into the match－and Rafa Silva added another goal at the Stadium of Light to help Benfica end a 60-year winless streak against Barcelona. It was its second victory in eight matches against the Catalan club.

Bayern cruised past Dynamo Kiev in Germany in the other Group E match to reach six points from two matches.

Benfica, which had opened with a draw at Dynamo, has four points, three more than Dynamo. Barcelona stayed on zero points ahead of consecutive matches against Dynamo.

"We need to win our next two matches against Dynamo and then we'll see what happens," Busquets said. "We have to think positively and work to improve many things."

The loss added more pressure on Barcelona coach Ronaldo Koeman, who hasn't been able to make the team perform and has been at odds with club president Joan Laporta and even some of the players. The Dutch coach has said Barcelona has no significant chances of winning any titles this season.

"I don't want to answer any more questions about my future because it is out of my hands," Koeman said. "In the end the coach is always responsible. I feel I have the support from my players. I don't know if I have it from the club."

Last season, Barcelona failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006-07, losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 and ending its record run of 13 consecutive last-eight appearances.

Agencies