This is getting out of Ronald Koeman's hands

The debacle in Cadiz was just another warning for a team that had done well in Europe up to this point. But they lost their credibility on the continent as Juventus swanned past them, beating them for tactics and attitude, in a first-half reminiscent of that Bayern Munich drubbing. The defeat didn't dump Barca out, but it condemns them to second place, which could be a death sentence depending on who they draw in the last 16. It was harder to take because of the feeling of impotence that the team left. And that's up to the coach.

The Barcelona weren't going to do that well in Europe was something that we knew already. With no money to sign, the revolution has been partial, but that doesn't remove Koeman's blame. It's true that the referee gave Juve a penalty that unbalanced Barca, and that injuries have been bad, and the Dutchman needs time, but his ideas aren't working with just two pivots in midfield.

Barca have lost virtually all their games against big sides. They had only beaten Juve in Turin without Ronaldo. And that makes you think about the coach, whom it seems is going to die on the hill of his 4-2-3-1. Physically Barca are incapable of playing with four attackers, and less so with Messi as false nine. The reality hurts but it's better to have a crisis in December than in March, and Koeman has time to reflect.