Benfica rolled over 3-0 against Barcelona. One of the most criticized players after the humiliating defeat was Luuk De Jong, a signing requested by Barcelona's manager, Ronald Koeman.
Mario Joao believes that Barcelona is in terrible form. "They were always a good team, and now, due to financial problems, they are weak", he claimed to 'Goal'.
He believes that the main problem with Barça this season is the new players. That's when he pointed straight to Luuk De Jong. How is it possible that a bench player for Sevilla is a starter for Barcelona? A player that is not good enough for Sevilla, a Barcelona starter... It is sad, I don't understand. Barcelona is not any club. I have never seen a weaker side than this Barcelona. They have great players, but they don't have a team", he said.
He also stated that Messi's departure is not, in his opinion, the cause for Barça's situation. "It's not his fault that Barça is in this position. Pique is 34 years-old, Busquets 33 and Jordi Alba 32. Right now the new young players don't have the support from the veterans, who don't have that energy anymore. Barcelona needs 27 or 28 year-old players.
On Benfica's win over Barça, Mario Joao said. Benfica was the better team, but the margin of victory wasn't fair to Barcelona. I wasn't surprised by Barça's performance, they were already coming of bad form. The veterans are way past their best and the young players are not mature enough for a game of this magnitude".
Lastly, Mario Joao claimed to be a Barcelona supporter and wants the team to get better. "They have to play well at all times, it's not any team. As a fan, I have never seen any team like this one".