Barcelona president ‘exploded’ after draw vs Inter, needed to be calmed down

FC Barcelona’s recent draw with Inter Milan means the Catalans are almost on the brink of elimination from the UEFA Champions League. They are running the risk of getting knocked out of the group stages for the second consecutive season.

While such a record will have major financial repercussions, it will also lead to a massive loss of prestige, especially for a club regarded as one of the biggest in world football.

As such, Barcelona president Joan Laporta had hidden no emotion after the club’s catastrophic result against Inter Milan.

According to Jose Alvarez (h/t MARCA), the Spaniard had ‘exploded’ in a fit of rage after the draw, and was furious with coach Xavi Hernandez, along with some of the players. The Catalan club’s president had to be calmed down by directors Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff.

Although Laporta has still retained faith in Xavi, the club president was not happy with the performances of some of the players. Veterans such as Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets, in particular, have become scapegoats within the Barça ranks in the aftermath of this result.

Laporta also feels that his new project is crumbling already, just a few months into the new season. Not to mention, Barça also face economic pressure and anxiety, especially after spending fortunes in the transfer market this past summer.

Indeed, recent reports indicate that the club will have to repay massive debts and timely payments to sponsorship partners including Sixth Street, who had acquired 25% of the club’s TV rights earlier in the summer.

While Barcelona have the means to sustain themselves without going into bankruptcy, their risky financial moves have to be backed by performances on the pitch.

However, with the club now on the brink of elimination from the UCL, there could be dark months ahead for Laporta & co. as they look to balance the books in the upcoming winter transfer window.

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