Busquets says sacking Koeman "would be easiest thing" after Barcelona loss

Veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets has admitted that the situation at Barcelona is "critical" and claimed "the easiest thing" would be to sack boss Ronald Koeman.

The Catalan giants slumped to a three-goal defeat at Benfica in Lisbon on Wednesday night to leave them pointless after their two opening Champions League games.

It was the first time in the club's history that they had lost each of their opening European matches and puts their position of advancing into the competition's knockout stages in jeopardy.

Under-fire boss Koeman oversaw underwhelming La Liga draws against Granada and Cadiz last week with the scrutiny on his position ramped up, despite a weekend win at home to Levante.

Sergio Busquets was unable to prevent Barca's heavy defeat in Lisbon ( Image:

Getty Images)

Two goals from Darwin Nunez and a strike from Rafa Silva saw Benfica record a convincing victory over the beleaguered Blaugrana, meaning they have scored none and conceded six goals in the group stage.

A bad night for Koeman's side was rounded off with a late red card for central defender Eric Garcia, whose error-strewn performance ended with a second yellow card.

The talk on Koeman's position will now only ramp up further after the latest calamity but Busquets has added that the run of results and performances is the responsibility of everybody at the club.

Barca players were dejected after the three-goal loss ( Image:

Getty Images)

Busquets claimed that the situation at the club "is critical" and went on to analyse his side's heavy loss in Lisbon.

The midfielder explained on Spanish TV: "It is difficult to explain. In the end where the games are decided in the penalty areas and we have not been clinical.

"We were good, we created moments and chances. We did not score and when you pass those up then the opponent can take advantage of it.

"I don't know if we our number of shots reflected the opportunies. We have had chances. The statistics are good but even though we haven't had shots away, we have had chances.

"When we go up the pitch they put us in one-on-one situations with their strikers and our defenders. The second and third goals have been like this.

"The easiest thing is to sack Koeman but we all have responsibilities. We are in a critical situation, really.

"We have only had two matchdays. We have to think about improving and qualifying from the group.

"We have to win both games against Dinamo Kiev and see what the other teams do. There is a lot left and we have to try to be positive."

Boss Koeman said after the game that he felt support from the players, but he remained unsure about the club.

He added: "The final result is hard to accept. It is not the result we saw on the pitch.

"I think the team played well until 2-0. We have had very clear opportunities to score. That's how you change one game.

"If they score one of the few that arrive and make you three, that is the big difference.

"They (Benfica) are very physical and very fast. I think that the first and second goals we should have defended better. Soft can be a word but there are many teams that are physically better than us.

"We were lucky that they did not show the second yellow card for Gerard Pique.

"I am not going to discuss the level of this team. Everyone knows what Barça's problem is today. It is not possible to comment on a team that is not the one of past years. For me it is clearer than water.

"I can only comment on my work with the team. I feel supported by my players and their attitude. I don't know about the rest. I don't know about the club."