5 problems that Barcelona need to fix urgently
“Barcelona are not the team they used to be” - an obvious but really insightful statement which sums up their condition right now. Even club legend Johan Cryuff recently said that they have lost some of their sheen. Now, many Blaugrana faithful may say that Barcelona’s losses are being blown out of proportion, and I am an ardent supporter of not drawing conclusions too soon. Losses and wins are a part of the game, that’s well and good, but what is a source of concern are their displays in the matches they have lost. At times, it has seemed like the players are disinterested and are just going through the motions. The current Barcelona side is a far cry from the teams that reached dizzying heights from 2008 to 2011. However, if they even want to become similar to the side that once dominated Europe and captured the imagination of the fans and purists alike, they need to step up and they need to do it quick. So here are 5 key problems which Barcelona need to fix:
#1 They must accept they no longer intimidate opponents
Back when Barcelona were the epitome of beautiful football and were steam-rolling every team that came their way, most of the teams they faced were perennially in damage-control mode, best exemplified by Chelsea’s infamous parking the bus in the Champions League semi-final in 2012.
However, it is now time for Barcelona to accept that they no longer intimidate teams like they once did. They can no longer just show up and expect half the battle to be won. Teams have now discovered that there are rewards if you take the game to them, and looking at their relatively weak defence, Barcelona are bound to concede goals. The first half in their game against Ajax showed that, with the Dutch side dominating proceedings.
Even in their El Clasico match, Real Madrid took the game to Barcelona and reaped the dividends. Barcelona must now accept that they no longer have that intimidation factor going for them so they have to work much harder as a team. It would be a good first step in a journey to regain their pride and earn back the tag of being one of the most fearsome sides in the world.