The Barcelona does not stop suffering even in a new tribute to Diego Maradona. The Catalans lost the Maradona Cup , played in Saudi Arabia, against Boca Juniors, after succumbing in the penalty shootout (1-1, 2-4 pen).
This meeting, held to honor Maradona, former idol of soccer and of both clubs, helped Xavi to rotate and see more young people in the team. Of the relatively common players, only Clement Lenglet and Sergiño Dest appeared. In the starting eleven were included Philippe Coutinho and Dani Alves , who played the 90 minutes in his first party since he returned to Barcelona.
Ferrán Jutgla -who debuted last weekend with the professional team- overtook the Blaugranas to 50 ′. Xavi continued to rotate, leaving Gavi, Nico and Ronald Araújo on the bench, undisputed starters in his team.
Boca tied 77 ′ with both Exequiel Zeballos. After the draw in the 90 ′, the Maradona Cup was decided on penalties. Marcos Rojo, Carlos Izquierdoz, Cristian Pavón and Aaron Molinas scored for Xeneize. For Barcelona only Dani Alves and Jutgla were right. Matheus Pereira and Guillem Jaime erred consecutively. Boca Juniors champion .
The nightmare continues for the culés. They have four games without winning, they were left without the UEFA Champions League, they will face Chucky Lozano’s Napoli in the Europa League and in La Liga they are quite off the hook for the championship fight.
The closure of 2021 FC Barcelona:
✗ They are the 8th place in the Spanish League.
✗ Defeated and eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League.
✗ They went straight UEFA Europa League (unfavorable draw).
✗ They lost the Maradona Cup to Boca Juniors.VERY COMPLICATED MOMENT. pic.twitter.com/GanDe8RQaE— Undefeated (@InvictosSomos) December 14, 2021