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TIME TO KOE
Benfica 3 Barcelona 0: Barca staring at Europa League as crisis club thrashed again with Pique subbed off in first half
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RONALD KOEMAN moved closer to the axe as Barcelona were thrashed 3-0 by Benfica.
The drubbing in Portugal leaves the LaLiga crisis club bottom of Group E and staring at a spot in the Europa League in the new year.
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Cash-strapped Barca have made a dreadful start to the season after losing Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann in the summer.
And, at the Estadio Da Luz, they played an hour without remaining club legend Gerard Pique who was unceremoniously hooked after just 32 minutes.
Under-fire Koeman's decision appeared to be tactical as the uninjured defender, 34, was replaced by a midfielder HALF his age.
Barca made a dreadful start to the Champions League fixture, with forward Darwin Nunez giving Benfica a 1-0 lead in the third minute.
Pique was booked shortly after and was fortunate not to receive a second yellow from referee Daniele Orsato in the 30th minute.
Koeman, perhaps sensing a red was coming, hauled the legendary centre-back off moments later and decided to switch to a back four.
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Pique was replaced by Gavi, 17, who was born just two months before the defender made his senior debut for Manchester United in October 2004.
Koeman's decision didn't make much of a difference as Rafa Silva doubled Benfica's lead in the second half before Nunez got a third from the spot.
To make matters worse, new signing Luuk de Jong missed an open goal and ex-Manchester City defender Eric Garcia was sent off late on.
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Koeman has been on the brink of the sack for weeks after an uninspiring start to the season, picking up 12 points from their first six LaLiga games.
The five-time Champions League winners are also pointless in the competition after a similar 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp in their opener earlier this month.
Koeman tried to defend his position, claiming his side cannot be expected to match the glory years of Messi & Co.
The Dutchman said: “There’s no point in comparing this with Barcelona teams of years gone by.
"I feel supported, very supported by my players here at Barcelona. And by the club? I don't know."
Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong added: "In my opinion the solution is not to change the coach."
Pique, meanwhile, appears to be on the decline after enjoying more than a decade of success at the Nou Camp.
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The four-time Champions League winner hasn't appeared in the world, European or LaLiga Team of the Season for FIVE years.
Pique was recently deployed as a STRIKER by Koeman in Barcelona's 1-1 draw with LaLiga rivals Granada.
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