Barcelona's Recent Decline Raises Concerns
Under Hansi Flick's leadership, Barcelona has experienced a significant downturn in performance, prompting the coach to reconsider his previous strategies.
Barcelona's recent form has raised alarms, with the team securing only 5 out of a possible 15 points in their last five matches. This downturn began during the second half of the derby against Espanyol, leading to unexpected results such as a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad and a 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas at Montjuïc. A 5-1 victory over Mallorca appeared to signal a turnaround, but subsequent draws against Celta Vigo and Real Betis have highlighted ongoing issues.
In the match against Betis, Barcelona displayed inconsistency, starting sluggishly and conceding an early goal. Although they managed to equalize, defensive lapses allowed Betis to level the score again in stoppage time, resulting in a 2-2 draw. This pattern of conceding shortly after scoring has been evident in recent games against Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano, Bayern Munich, Red Star Belgrade, Celta Vigo, and Mallorca.
Head coach Hansi Flick has faced criticism for his tactical decisions, including unexpected substitutions that disrupted the team's rhythm. Notably, Flick rested key starters in anticipation of the upcoming Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, deviating from his usual 'one game at a time' philosophy. This approach has led to questions about squad depth and the reliance on a core group of 11 or 12 players, who may be showing signs of fatigue.
As Barcelona prepares for their Champions League fixture, the team aims to address these challenges to regain their winning form and maintain competitiveness in both domestic and European competitions.