Bartomeu leaves, Barcelona go on
"A bel die tutta la vita onora,” wrote Petrarca (“All life honours a beautiful death”).
That is what I expected from Bartomeu; that he would at least give a dignified end to his mandate as Barcelona president. He had the chance to do so when, in record time, more than 20,000 signatures were collected in the petition for the motion of no confidence against him. But he bargained to continue.
He eventually did announce his resignation on Tuesday (a day after stating that he planned to stay on) in a bitter and spiteful appearance void of humility – leaving on the table that disturbing message about the European Super League, for which he said he had signed Barça up just the day before he left.
Bartomeu’s difficulties at Barcelona
And I am genuinely sorry to see it turn out this way, because I have tended to understand his difficulties. He arrived with an excellent team called in to manage the beginning of the path downhill prompted by the exits of Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta.
Replacing these three greats was always going to be impossible. Not only did the team’s basic functioning go out the door with them, but also a form of behaviour in the dressing very different to the one that has emerged in its place and which has caused such dichotomy between the players and the boardroom.
Neither has it been easy for Bartomeu to live with the influential segments of the press and society that have accused him of being half-hearted. Between one thing and the other, he has behaved nervously and carelessly. To sum up, the situation has not been great.
Good showing in Europe for LaLiga clubs
Bartomeu has gone and Barça waved goodbye to him with a convincing victory in Turin that has alleviated the disappointment following the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid. Dembélé scored, Pedri was impressive and Barça return home with a feeling of serenity after a match that had the oddity of three Morata goals ruled out for offside.
Sevilla also won by one goal against Rennes after more than 20 attempts, some of which failed to go in for reasons that only para-psychology can explain. With Atlético also winning on Tuesday, on what was a great night for João Félix, it has been generally been good showing for Spanish clubs in Europe this week, though leaving aside Real Madrid, who at least managed to save a draw in Germany.