Koeman had heated discussion with senior Barça star in Lisbon

According to Sport journalist Joan Vehils, Ronald Koeman was involved in a heated discussion with one of Barcelona's senior players during the half-time interval of Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Benfica in Lisbon. It is another episode which reflects the distance which has opened up between the coach and his players, on top of the well publicised ruptured relationship with club president, Joan Laporta.

Piqué taken off

During the first half of the Benfica game, the most significant incident, apart from Darwin's opener, was the decision to take off Gerard Piqué, who had been booked. The central defender, who is in a poor moment of form, was replaced by Gavi. His face as he was substituted was a picture. After Piqué wemt off, De Jong was forced to drop back a few metres, leaving the team without punch going forward.

The version of events reported by Sport adds that a tense conversation took place, and while tensions didn't escalate into anything serious, it is obvious that a division has opened up between Koeman and the players due to the coach's blunt way of expressing himself. They way he explained that the team are not in the running to win anything this season has not gone down well with the squad - and especially with the captains, who have responded publicly. "I don't play here to end up in second place," Piqué said. "We are Barça and I can't see any other clubs with better squads that ours," was Sergi Roberto's response. While Araíujo, who arrived only relatively recently, added: "We want to win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, the Super Cup - everything". Tension is at al all-time at Barça ahead of tonight's clash at the Wanda.