PSG 4 Barcelona 0: Spanish football expert and Northern Ireland legend Gerry Armstrong explains where it all went wrong for Luis Enrique’s men
Armstrong claims Barcelona's humiliation was no surprise and tells SunSport's Rob Maul that Luis Enrique is heading for the exit
GERRY ARMSTRONG, Northern Ireland’s 1982 World Cup hero, has spent 21 years covering Spanish football for Sky Sports.
After Barca’s 4-0 defeat to PSG, he tells SunSport’s ROB MAUL what has gone wrong and why Luis Enrique faces the axe.
What is going wrong at Barcelona right now?
Physically and mentally Barca are low. The games have been coming thick and fast since the winter break and the fixture list has gradually worn them down.
While the scoreline was a shock, the defeat was no surprise.
Injuries to key players have stretched the squad. The absence of Spanish defender Aleix Vidal, for example, is a major blow and they have struggled defensively all season. The cracks were horribly exposed in Paris.
Is Lionel Messi still the unstoppable force of old?
Messi has always relied on good service. But it seems he is doing what he does for Argentina and coming deeper and deeper to get the ball.
That explains why, in such a poor team display, he touched the ball just once in PSG’s box.
Messi still has magic but cannot produce it consistently and you have to question his hunger.
Having won so many trophies, does he still have the same drive and passion to keep going?
What about Neymar and Luis Suarez?
Neymar should be a footballer first and then a showman when his side are two or three up.
He tends to beat the same player twice. Neymar must be more productive in front of goal.
Suarez, on the other hand, has been scoring consistently but looks tired. He has played too much over the past few years.
Is boss Luis Enrique a ‘dead man walking’?
Even if Barca win the Copa del Rey — they face Alaves in the final — I cannot see Enrique in charge next season. He has been coming under fire for his style and preferring Andre Gomes over Ivan Rakitic — physicality ahead of artistry — is a growing source of complaint.
His successor is likely to be a former player who will get the team back playing in a silky style.
How did PSG pull off this season’s most seismic European shock?
As soon as Barcelona had the ball, they were pressed by the French champions. Any team that has the physical capability to press Barca for 90 minutes can beat them.
PSG out-ran and out-fought the visitors. They contained Messi and with quality players like Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani, they were able to cause real damage.
Does an early Champions League exit signal the end of an era?
The 2009 and 2011 Champions League-winning squads were incredible. Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi were at the peak of their powers.
This side has won its share of trophies but this is becoming a very tough season. Barcelona need a really good look at themselves this summer and I expect plenty of changes.
