Champions League: 'Barcelona totally collapsed' - former Real Madrid manager slams Barcelona for their humiliating loss against Liverpool
What's the news?
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho slammed Barcelona for their performance against Liverpool in the return leg of the Champions League semi-finals.
In case you didn't know...
After enduring a 3-0 defeat in the first leg at Nou Camp, Liverpool defied the odds to pull off a sensational comeback at Anfield. The Reds thrashed Barcelona 4-0 thanks to braces from Divock Origi and Gini Wijnaldum to qualify for the Champions League finals for the second time in two years.
Liverpool were without two of the best forwards in their team - Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino - due to injuries but the players showed tremendous spirit to knock out the Catalan giants. The Reds are enjoying one of their best campaigns in recent years as they are second in the Premier League table, just a point behind table-toppers Manchester City.
On the other hand, Barcelona failed to protect the three-goal lead, just like they did against Roma last season in the Champions League Quarter-finals. Lionel Messi, who scored twice in the first leg, was unable to help his team score even one as Liverpool went on to win the tie on aggregate. Barcelona last qualified for the Champions League finals four years ago.
The heart of the matter
Mourinho slammed Barcelona for their mentality and compared them with school boys.
Speaking to BeIN Sports, the Portuguese said:
"When you see a result like this, you have to also speak about collapse, and Barcelona totally collapsed."
"The fourth goal, if you see that goal in an Under 14 or Under 15 match, you would say 'the kids are sleeping, the kids have no mentality to play football, the kids have to learn the basic things of the game'."
"But we are speaking about the best players in the world, and to concede that goal really shows you a state of mind. Barcelona has some of the best players in the world. It is their natural habitat to play at that level."
What's next?
Jose Mourinho is currently taking a break from football after he was fired last year from Manchester United. Meanwhile, Barcelona will face Getafe next in La Liga.