FC Barcelona is still leader of La Liga, but the noose is tightening for Hansi Flick’s team, beaten by Leganès on Sunday evening (0-1) and whose dynamic is clearly no longer that of the start of the season.
Barça’s steamroller version is in trouble. Sunday evening, Hansi Flick’s men conceded another defeat in La Liga, this time at home against Leganès (0-1). Lamine Yamal’s teammates have been in great difficulty for several weeks, as evidenced by the last eight matches in all competitions with three defeats and a draw. Barça is only one point ahead (with one more match) over Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, an observation which worries the Socios of the Catalan club as well as the newspaper Mark. In today’s edition, the major Spanish daily carried out an autopsy on this very sick Barça and pointed out the three causes of this collapse.
The first is undoubtedly the level of defense, so imperial at the start of the season and which has not displayed as much strength and serenity for some time. Sunday evening, Jules Koundé was undeniably the best Barcelona player but alongside him, Garcia, Martinez, Balde and Pena struggled, as did the midfield formed by Casado and Pedri. Barça’s defensive block is failing and this is one of the explanations for the Blaugrana team’s bad luck. The second reason for FC Barcelona’s crisis in La Liga is Robert Lewandowski. Its performance has “significantly decreased” as Marca points out.
Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal less decisive
Author of only two goals in the last six games, the top scorer in La Liga must help his team more in this difficult moment, which he was not able to do on Sunday evening. Finally, the less significant influence of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha is mentioned by Marca, who regrets that as soon as the two Catalan wingers have a drop in performance, no one is really capable of taking over. The winter break will come at the best time for Barça, whose players clearly need to rest to come back stronger in 2025. But before thinking about the Christmas holidays, one last shock awaits the Catalan club with the reception of the Atlético de Madrid on Saturday evening. A crucial poster to know who will finish 2024 at the top of La Liga.
Senegal
