'We have hit rock bottom': Barca stars humiliated as Lionel Messi's future comes under scrutiny after Bayern score eight - in pictures


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Defender Gerard Pique described Barcelona's 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich as a "disgrace" and "embarrassing" and claimed the club had "hit rock bottom".

Thomas Mueller and Philippe Coutinho - on loan from Barca - both scored twice as the German double winners blew them away in a ruthless display that will prompt serious questions over Lionel Messi's future in Spain.

Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski were also on target for Bayern, with Barca's goals coming via a David Alaba own goal and a second-half strike from Luis Suarez.

"We have hit rock bottom. This is not the first, nor the second, nor the third time. We are not on the right path," said Pique.

"Coaches and players follow one another, but it has been several years since we have been able to be competitive on a European level.

"We all have to think internally and decide what is best for the club, for Barca. Tonight was unacceptable for Barcelona."

Pique added on the club's website: "It was a horrible game, the feeling is terrible, embarrassing is the word.

"We can't compete like that, you can't play like that in Europe. I hope it is useful for something.

"Now everyone has to have a good look at themselves, the club needs change and I am not talking about the coach or the players, I am not pointing the finger at anyone.

"Nobody is safe, I am the first to say that I will go if new blood has to come in, I am the first to leave.

"We have to have a real look internally about what is best for the club."

President Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted changes have already been planned for next season, and will be confirmed next week.

As well as a likely new manager, Barcelona's 2021 presidential elections could even be brought forward.

"It has been a very, very tough night. I am sorry for the Barca fans and members, for the players, for everyone," said Bartomeu.

"We were not the club that we represent, I am so sorry.

"There are some decisions that we had already made, and others that we will make over the next days.

"Announcements will be made from next week, we need to make decisions after things have calmed down.

"It was a devastating result. I congratulate Bayern, they played a great game and deserved to go to the semi-finals.

"We were not up to the occasion and we can only apologise to the members and fans."

Barca coach Quique Setien offered no indication that he would resign, but it seems inevitable he will be replaced.

"It's too soon to think about whether or not I will continue," Setien said. "It doesn't depend on me. There needs to be a wider reflection, taking into account the situation and the importance of this defeat which is so painful."

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: CVT auto

Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km

On sale: now

Price: from Dh195,000 

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

THE BIO:

Sabri Razouk, 74

Athlete and fitness trainer 

Married, father of six

Favourite exercise: Bench press

Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn

Power drink: A glass of yoghurt

Role model: Any good man

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

Match info

Premier League

Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)