Barcelona lost (3-2) this Wednesday to Antwerp on the final day of Group H of the Champions League, still in first place heading into the round of 16 draw, but leaving a good dose of merit along the way.

The Barça team was overtaken by the team in last place, a team that took their first three points by being much better than the Barça team after hours: no goals and no defense. Javi Hernandez’s team trailed from the second minute of the match and, due to another mistake by Oriol Romeu, conceded the second after the restart. The entry of the starting players into the final stretch did not prevent an even more awkward outcome for what should have been a first-place celebration.

Xavi’s side wasted a good opportunity to regain confidence with little at stake as the lead was secured barring Shakhtar’s away win over Porto in the Champions League. Away from home, but against a team in last place, Barça started with the uncertainty that surrounds it in terms of the performance and performance of a league champion team a few months ago.

The rotations didn’t help and in the first minute debutant Hector Fort was smashed down the right flank and Antwerp narrowly missed scoring. A shot to the leg was struck almost immediately by Iñaki Pena, and Oriol Romeu made a difficult pass that led to a local interception and Vermeeren’s goal two minutes later (1-0).

Barça did not have a shot on target until the 35th minute, following a Belgian corner kick, when Ferran made it 1-1, culminating in a good counter-attack and pass from Lamin Yamal. The previous average bordered on the absurdity of the group leader, at first with haste and turnovers and, once in possession, failing to find depth.

After the defeat to Girona, Xavi’s team continued to show weak pressing and general confusion in defense. On the other hand, Antwerp knew how to attack well forward, and Vermeeren forgave the double. A handball that went unnoticed could have given Barça a penalty, but VAR did not insist on it, and on the counter-attack the 1-1 result came through Ferran, who called the game well.

Another step back for Barcelona

The resumption not only did not improve the culé panorama, but also brought in a local team still very motivated, with a very lively half-stand, with the entire side empty due to a dispute with the owner of the land. The smiles of disbelief at 1-0 came at the expense of an ineffective Barca and the Belgians at times felt invincible at 2-1 in the 56th minute.

Locals warned that the goal was disallowed due to a millimeter offside, but Janssen caused euphoria in the Bosuilstadion. Oriol Romeu came on again, losing the ball in the wrong place, and Kule’s defense broke down again against Vermeeren, Yusuf, Kerk, Janssen and the star Ejuke. Xavi brought in Pedri, Cancelo and Gundogan, but the response was fleeting.

The Canarian entered with inspiration, breaking lines, but not the Portuguese or the German, at a slow pace, far from what was required to return to Europe. Pedri himself forgave the clearest strike after Lewandowski’s fall, before the Pole made way for Marc Guy. Without jeopardizing top spot, Barca didn’t want to spoil the party in Antwerp, although there is nothing to get excited about here.

Marc Giu, the man with a record debut in the league, scored again with a superb header deep into stoppage time, but the Belgian team made it 3-2 through stoppage time through Ilenichene. Another step back for Xavi’s side despite reaching the target of first place in the round of 16 thanks to them winning the ‘goal average’ against a Porto side who beat Shakhtar Donetsk (5-3).