The Spanish topflight kicked off in August with a revamped Barcelona under Hansi Flick, who dominated their opponents and took an early lead at the top of the table. Their stunning 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid away in late October in El Clásico left fans and pundits convinced that they would run away with the league title this season.
However, as is often the case with football, the unpredictability of the game has once again proven itself. Fast forward two months, and the Blaugrana now find themselves in third place, trailing both of their Madrid rivals—Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid.
Barça made an impressive start to the season, winning 11 out of their first 12 games and accumulating 33 points, establishing them a seven-point lead at the top of the table in November. Their players had been scoring for fun, racking up a whopping 51 goals and still boasting the highest goal difference of (+29) in LaLiga. However, their form has since faltered, with three losses, a draw, and just one win in their last five matches. Notably, while they have performed well against top teams, they have also suffered unexpected defeats at the hands of lower-ranked and out-of-form sides like Real Sociedad and Leganés.
So what has gone wrong with Barcelona all of a sudden?
There is no simple answer to this. The situation at Barcelona is a combination of several factors, with the club’s messy financial state playing a significant role. Under pressure due to their financial constraints, Barcelona are unable to strengthen their squad through signings without selling their prized assets, relying instead on La Masia graduates to provide depth. While their first team and quite a few academy players are strong, a balance of youth and experience is crucial for winning trophies, something the team currently lack. The recent struggles can also be attributed to injuries to key players and the “manager bounce” wearing off, with new manager Hansi Flick grappling with the club’s challenges and expectations.
In short, Barcelona’s issues stem from both internal and external factors, including financial difficulties, injuries, and squad depth.
Barcelona’s recent struggles have allowed Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid to find their form and come back into the title race in LaLiga. Both Madrid teams boast world-class managers and squads, and it was only a matter of time before they hit their stride. Atleti are on an impressive winning streak, securing maximum points from their last five games, while Los Blancos have gained three wins and a draw in their last five. This has allowed the two sides to close the gap on the under-performing Barcelona, who also face the disadvantage of having a relatively-inexperienced manager in Flick, who is managing in LaLiga for the first time. The Madrid teams, in contrast, have seasoned managers who have previously won the domestic titles. Additionally, both Madrid teams have a game in hand over Barcelona.
The title race in LaLiga has become a thrilling contest, with all three top teams well and truly in contention. While one team seemed to dominate in November, the momentum has now shifted towards the Madrid outfits. However, Barcelona cannot be written off just yet. With the race so tight, the title will likely be decided by which team can handle high-pressure matches and avoid dropping points against lower-ranked sides. It’s shaping up to be a nerve-racking finish.
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