FC Barcelona’s difficulties resurfaced in January with a disappointing result against Getafe. The situation is worrying for the club which has not won a victory at Getafe for four seasons, with two draws and two defeats during this period. Hansi Flick, who joined Barca with high hopes of turning things around, now faces the harsh reality of a lack of success at the Coliseum. This respected tactician, considered a new hero of Catalonia and a potential savior for President Joan Laporta, now carries the weight of this setback on his shoulders.
The situation is far from encouraging. Perhaps it’s fair to say that this team is still in the rebuilding phase and it’s understandable that younger players are losing focus quickly, especially after a crushing 5-2 win over the defending champions. However, it is the coach’s responsibility to remind these players that Getafe must be considered a formidable opponent.
The team’s recent performances have been disappointing, with previous defeats against Leganés and Las Palmas, as well as draws against Real Betis and Celta Vigo. Detractors might argue that these teams are not on the level of giants like Real Madrid or other Champions League contenders, but results like these are crucial in the title race. If the championship had started in November, a month described by Flick as disastrous, Barcelona would be in a relegation position, having collected only six points out of a possible 24.
Statistics show that this is Barca’s worst run since the 1974-75 season, the year after Johan Cruyff’s arrival. Winning only one of the last eight league games, while having a dominant position in the Champions League and having recently beaten the league champions, is incomprehensible. Flick owes his supporters explanations, and these must be credible.
-Additionally, it is somewhat laughable that, despite having 75% possession, Barcelona failed to convert that dominance into goals. Robert Lewandowski had a bad night, and Raphinha missed easier chances than he usually converted. Young star Lamine Yamal, who has immense potential, did not shine as expected, blending into the game like an ordinary player.
In contrast, Real Madrid always seem to get wins even in difficult situations, while Barcelona lost two valuable points against Getafe. Those dropped points, coupled with missed chances against Leganés, Real Betis, Las Palmas and Celta, could be the difference between winning the league or failing. The potential reality of losing the title due to an inability to secure wins against second-rate teams is particularly daunting, especially for a coach who has recently been hailed as the best in the world.
Another disappointing point is the slow reaction of the Madrid media to the racist insults directed at Balde during this match, especially in light of the campaign against the offenses suffered by Vinicius Júnior. Last night’s incidents reportedly triggered anti-racism protocols at the Coliseum, although a technical glitch prevented the details from being clearly presented to the public. We await further developments on this topic.
