Home ›› 29 Sep 2021 ›› Sport
Ronald Koeman’s future as Barcelona coach may already be decided but the outcome of the next two games, starting with Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday, could buy him some extra time.
After facing Benfica, with the pressure on in Group E after the opening defeat by Bayern Munich, Barcelona play on Saturday away at Atletico Madrid, La Liga’s reigning champions, who are enduring a rocky start themselves.
A loss in either game, even at this early stage, would represent a damaging blow to Barca’s hopes in either competition and perhaps convince the board the need for change is now. Yet a better combination of results could also earn Koeman some breathing space.
There were certainly reasons for optimism against Levante, who rolled over for the kind of morale-boosting victory ideally suited for the start of a testing week.
The biggest cause for enthusiasm was the return of Ansu Fati, the inheritor of Lionel Messi’s number 10 shirt, who raised the roof by coming on after 10 months out through injury and then sent the fans ballistic by scoring in the 91st minute.
De Gea seeks redemption
Manchester United cross paths with Villarreal once more on Wednesday in desperate need of a win to avoid another European embarrassment and ease the rising pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Yellow Submarine emerged 11-10 winners from a marathon penalty shootout when the sides last met in the Europa League final in May to win their first ever major trophy.
Defeat extended Solskjaer’s wait for silverware as United boss since taking charge in December 2019, but goalkeeper David de Gea was the fall guy in Gdansk.
Despite a mixed bag of results, United would be even worse off if it wasn’t for the 30-year-old’s return to form.
Solskjaer’s men have lost three of their past four games despite adding Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho to a squad already rich in attacking talent.
Chiesa battling for Juve spot
Federico Chiesa has started his second season at Juventus with an uncertain position in coach Massimiliano Allegri’s plans despite being one of the heroes of Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph.
Six matches into the Serie A season Chiesa has started in fewer games than he did helping Italy win this summer’s European Championship.
However with Dybala and Morata injured and out of Wednesday’s Champions League visit from defending champions Chelsea, Chiesa will be among those looking to profit with another decisive performance.
