Graham Hunter joined Wednesday's OTB AM to reflect on a dramatic night in Italy as Roma sensationally knocked-out Barcelona despite taking a 4-1 lead to the eternal city.
"Barcelona got their backsides' handed to them last night - that's what happened," he told Ger. "We've seen it a little bit regularly - if you're a heartfelt Barca fan or if you're a Barca planner or if you're their president or indeed their captain, Andres Iniesta - there's an exact similarity to Turin last year.
"Albeit that was the first leg, the away leg against Juventus when they were beaten 3-0 - it was absolutely a twin, identical to the 4-0 thrashing in Paris. The conclusion to draw is that at this time of year either Barcelona win and go through to win the tournament - one, the treble in 2014/15 or they go out at the quarter-final stage limply.
"Either impotent in two versions against Atletico Madrid - unable to keep up with Atleti where they weren't prolific and put them out when Barcelona were unable to score and in the instances against Juventus and now against Roma - not only were Barcelona unable to create goal chances or look competent on the ball but throwing away their entire footballing identity - being out-run, out-jumped and strategically out-thought - there's a very serious problem which goes beyond that they're out this morning, beyond the fact they were humiliated in the Roman capital.
Looking ahead to the future, Hunter identified Barcelona's transfer strategy as the possible flaw in their system whereas Real Madrid have thrived in their dealings.
"For one reason or another and I name that reason: "Zidane", laterally Madrid have picked better. And for a spell, Zidane was their football director, then he was a side coach and now he's the number one coach.
"For a spell, he was advising the president and right now, when there's a loss of character at Football Club Barcelona that can somehow staunch the flow last night or in Paris last year at 4-0 or against Chelsea - Chelsea came very close at the Camp Nou to doing what Roma did last night in the Italian capital.
"Somehow or another, there has to be a rethink about player selection and player development at Football Club Barcelona because what happened last night was not a one-off.
"It has been repeated and until things are address with Arthur, the Brazilian midfielder coming in, maybe Griezmann up-front - age, athleticism, out-right talent and character are things that Barcelona will need to address if they want to extend how they perform in Spain to the absolute upper echelons of European football," he added.
Wednesday's full OTB AM is available here:
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