New Delhi: FC Barcelona, currently has not just gone through a confidence crisis, but their whole identity is being called into question. Bayern Munich’s Champions League victory last week validated the widespread belief that the once-mighty Catalans do not belong among Europe’s elite, while they were still dealing with Leo Messi’s sudden departure.
For the first time since 2004, Barcelona were playing in the Champions League without Messi, and they failed to register even a single shot on goal against the opposition.
Meanwhile, Memphis Depay who was not the club’s first choice as summer reinforcement, has nevertheless grabbed the opportunity with great relish, confident to make the most of the deal.
“I hope can help the team and the club in this difficult situation. That’s why I also came in here,” Depay told a select group of journalists on Friday.
He had been content to put in the hard work on the field and put on a brave front off it, as everything around him appears to be crumbling apart. That calm optimism appeared to be rubbing off on the club’s image management team, which tends to yearn for a face to help sell products and keep social media active.
Depay was assuaging fears that his club was on the verge of collapse, while also emphasizing that a lot of work would be needed to be done.
“Of course, we were disappointed with the result (0-3 against Bayern), and I understand what Gerard Pique said, Now we are who we are, we are what we are,’ but if there’s a big gap, I don’t think it’s a big gap.”
“But it’s the specific qualities and strength that Munich have in comparison to us. They have a different squad with some more strength and speed at certain places,” he explained, reiterating, “But is it a big gap? I don’t think so. We have to learn from that. We all know, the situation at the club, we have to stick together and fight back. I believe there’s a lot to fight for.”
Depay spoke about the situation at the club and how it had increased his responsibilities, “We all do understand the position that we are in right now. (But) you have to have a squad ready, that is ready to compete. And sometimes that’s difficult because of the situation we’re in. So, we all stick together. And we have to make the most of it. And, you know, our work ahead is very, very hard.”
The arrival of Depay in Barcelona coincided with Messi’s departure- “I never even got say hello to him” – could mean a changed role from what was perhaps earlier envisaged. Depay himself admitted that his preferred role was playing in the center of attack and falling deep to receive the ball but maintained that the Argentinian’s leaving did not necessarily mean changed plans for him and did not exceed expectations on him.
“No, it didn’t change my plan. Messi’s leaving, of course, changed the plan of maybe the coach and the club,” he said. “We players never have an impact on who’s leaving or who’s not. Unfortunately, Messi left and that’s something we have to deal with now which is not easy, but you know that’s the situation. It is what it is. You think about it, and you go on. As for my expectations, I hope I can achieve the things that I dream about here.”
