5 worst defeats that Barcelona have suffered in the 21st century

Barcelona suffered a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich
Barcelona suffered a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich

#3 Barcelona 1-4 Real Madrid | 2007-08

Barcelona gave Real Madrid a guard of honour
Barcelona gave Real Madrid a guard of honour

In a loss that signified the beginning of a glorious era, as much as it did the end of one, Barcelona were humiliated in El Clasico in May 2008. Real Madrid had already confirmed their status as La Liga champions, by the time the game happened.

But what followed was a celebration by putting on a show for the Bernabeu faithful by putting their biggest rivals in misery.

Raul struck from within the box, Arjen Robben added a second, Gonzalo Higuain scored a third, and then Ruud van Nistelrooy converted a penalty to subject Barcelona to utter humiliation.

But what followed was the sacking of Frank Rijkaard, who was replaced by Pep Guardiola for the following season. It began one of the most glorious chapters in the history of the club, and one that they hope they can repeat after their latest of string of embarrassing defeats in recent seasons.


#2 Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich | 2019-20

Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final
Barcelona v Bayern Munich - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final

In the single-legged Champions League quarterfinal in the 2019-20 season, Barcelona capitulated to one of their most embarrassing defeats in a long time.

The Blaugrana were absolutely blown away by the speed, desire and precision of Bayern Munich, as they conceded four goals in each half to lose 8-2.

After the game, Barca defender Gerard Pique called for a fundamental structural change to the club, and that they had hit rock-bottom.

A brace each for Thomas Muller and Philippe Coutinho, along with goals from Serge Gnabry, Ivan Perisic, Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski condemned Barcelona to an absolute embarrassment.

The night was made even more sour for Barcelona in the last ten minutes by Coutinho. The Brazilian is currently on loan from Barcelona to Bayern Munich, and he came on to score to assist the sixth goal, and scored the seventh and eighth.


#1 Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona | 2018-19

Liverpool v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Second Leg
Liverpool v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Second Leg

After winning the first leg 3-0 at the Camp Nou, Barcelona went to Anfield in the semifinal of the 2018-19 Champions League, determined to avoid the embarrassment of Rome a year earlier.

They were a lot more confident before the game at Anfield, claiming that they had learnt from the mistakes of Rome. They didn't even have an away goal to worry about.

But what followed was another Barcelona capitulation. Even worse, this happened without Liverpool having either Roberto Firmino or Mohamed Salah in their squad.

Liverpool started the game off straight on the front foot, and their high press was headed straight fo Barcelona throats. Divock Origi duly opened the scoring in the opening exchanges, but Barcelona hit back with a host of chances of their own.

Unable to beat Alisson in the Liverpool goal, the Blaugrana knew that they would have to just survive the second half unscathed to make the final, but that didn't happen.

Within ten minutes of the restart, Gini Wijnaldum, a half-time substitute for Andrew Robertson, scored twice to put the Reds back on level terms in the tie.

The winner, scored by Origi, was a summation of Barca's night. Liverpool had a corner, they took it quickly, Barcelona went to sleep, Origi scored, Barcelona were out, Liverpool had their greatest ever Anfield night.

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