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Barcelona manager upset with fans for booing the team in Champions League
He has a point.
David Ramos/Getty Images
Barcelona went down a goal to Bayer Leverkusen early in their Champions League match on Tuesday, and they struggled to create much until the very end, when they fought back to win 2-1. The Camp Nou whistled and booed their team during parts of the second half, and manager Luis Enrique wasn’t happy.
“We needed their support today when things weren’t going our way,” said Enrique. “You can hear the whistling very clearly from the pitch. The credit this team has, it deserves more. This team deserves a higher faith, it deserves credit, unshakable support. If we don’t run, okay, but the team was trying its heart out. The belief should be there from the fans, belief and support that we need.”
If you pay your money to get into the Camp Nou, you can chant whatever you want, but it’s certainly strange that fans would boo a treble-winning side in their first game without their best player.
Goal of the day
In the news
Iker Casillas isn’t mad at Jose Mourinho anymore after beating him. (ESPN FC)
Someone at Chelsea thinks Mourinho is making some top players scapegoats, and there’s some growing resentment. (Telegraph)
Sevilla has exercised their right to buy Ciro Immobile from Dortmund. (Gianluca Di Marzio)
Brendan Rodgers says he has to be careful not to “break” Daniel Sturridge. (BBC)
El Salvador’s Joel Aguilar will be the ref for USA vs. Mexico. (MLS)
Walter Mazzarri’s agent says he’s learning English to prepare for a Premier League job. Yes, please make this happen. (Football Italia)
Michel Platini says he got paid late because FIFA “couldn’t afford” to pay him during years when they showed an eight-figure profit. (Mirror)
You should be reading
Swiss Rambler on Manchester United’s finances. (Swiss Ramble)
Marina Hyde on the English FA’s crumbling high ground. (Guardian)
Gabriele Marcotti on Arsenal owing their fans answers. (ESPN FC)
Tuesday’s games
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Champions League: Eight games (from 12 p.m.) - An Astana match gets things started. Man United-Wolfsburg might be the best game.
US Open Cup: Union vs. Sporting KC (7 p.m.) - Did you even know this existed? The final of America’s oldest soccer competition is on Tuesday night.
Liga MX: Three games (from 7:45 p.m.) - Rare midweek fun from Mexico.
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