Barcelonas Struggles and…

With most major trophies now awarded or lost, the fight for LaLiga reignites this week. The top two teams, Barcelona and Real Madrid, must regroup after last week’s painful eliminations from the UEFA Champions League. Both suffered disappointing home defeats in their quarterfinals, only to be eliminated despite attempts to recover.

However, Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich may have done a favor to both Madrid and Barcelona, exposing clear weaknesses and areas needing improvement.

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– Messi has acquired a club in Barcelona! Learn about UE Cornellà
– Can Madrid’s project be saved after their Champions League exit?
– Despite Yamal’s performance, Atleti eliminates Barça from the Champions League

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The excitement surrounding Atlético’s 3-2 aggregate victory over Barcelona and Bayern’s exhilarating 6-4 win against Madrid has garnered global admiration due to the entertainment value of these matches. Yet, entertainment alone does not translate to trophies.

As La Liga resumes on Tuesday, with Madrid facing Alavés and Barça taking on Celta Vigo at Camp Nou the following night, the competition is far from over. (Catch all LaLiga matches on ESPN+ in the U.S.)

With seven matchdays remaining, including a Clásico at Camp Nou, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona boasts a nine-point advantage, positioned to achieve something only Madrid has accomplished once in 36 years: defend their title. Notably, no La Liga leader has ever relinquished such a large lead this late in the season.

Though Barcelona faces challenging away games against Osasuna and Getafe, as well as that critical matchup against Álvaro Arbeloa’s team on May 10, it’s likely the defending champions will secure the title once more.

However, both clubs need to promptly initiate internal assessments.

Barcelona has made strides to narrow the gap with Madrid in recent years, even as Los Blancos continue to dominate in Europe. Yet, the Blaugrana have faced inconsistencies, vulnerabilities, and fewer trophies this season.

As for Madrid? They possess a cutting-edge, revenue-generating stadium and a massive income, maintaining their status as the brand name in soccer. However, they are currently dealing with significant challenges.

Focusing on the potential champions.

Barcelona’s play is captivating. Their talent development from the youth system is remarkable. If guided effectively, they are positioned on the cusp of a brilliant era.

However, they are currently far from a level capable of winning the Champions League.

First and foremost, there’s Robert Lewandowski. Extending his expiring contract would be a grave mistake. While his goal-scoring record speaks for itself, Barcelona’s high defensive line, deployed in a 4-2-3-1 system under Flick, necessitates vigorous pressing. Without sustained, intense pressure, they become vulnerable to quick counterattacks, particularly from skilled opposition.

This vulnerability was evident last season against Inter Milan and has recurred frequently this season, contributing to their elimination by Atlético in domestic cups.

At nearly 38, Lewandowski lacks the capacity and willingness to press aggressively. Additionally, after Ferran Torres‘ decline in form, he has struggled to provide critical goals. I contend that including Lewandowski and the inconsistent Marcus Rashford against Atlético in the Champions League quarterfinal was a strategic blunder that enabled their rivals to launch unhindered counterattacks.

This raises the question: if Lewandowski and Rashford are not part of the squad next season, who will replace them?

Barcelona has shown interest in Julián Álvarez, but his Atlético teammate Alexander Sørloth appears to be a more intelligent, affordable, and potentially lucrative investment (his release clause is €35 million). Another option could be Galatasaray‘s Victor Osimhen.

Defensively, Barcelona must prioritize acquiring a skilled, quick, left-footed center-back of international caliber for their coach. Selling Frenkie de Jong to fund these acquisitions, along with strengthening fullback competition, would be a wise move.

If they manage these objectives while navigating La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules, Barcelona could consider their summer successful.

Given their overreliance on Pedri, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal, enhancing their medical, physiotherapy, and fitness systems is crucial to keeping these key players healthy and performing at peak levels more consistently.

Madrid’s circumstances are significantly more intricate and challenging to address.

Analyzing squad deficiencies and imbalances, particularly in light of Arbeloa’s potential continuation as head coach, is somewhat futile until there’s clarity on the club’s upper management.

I sense a distinct end-of-era atmosphere. While “decay” may be too harsh, “decline” appears accurate.

Players and staff don’t seem to exhibit the same trust, respect, or even fear towards president Florentino Pérez as before. Everyone, from star players to coaches to executives, inevitably experiences aging and performance decline.

The most successful periods in the last 25 years at Real Madrid have coincided with energetic, driven presidencies. When talented vice-presidents like José Ángel Sánchez effectively advise, and club legends like Pedja Mijatovic or Zinedine Zidane scout and recommend talent, success follows.

At present, I have doubts that all these elements are functioning effectively at Real Madrid.

Rebuilding this squad won’t be straightforward if it’s overseen by a 79-year-old president, without a football director, and amid self-motivated agents eyeing significant bonuses.

Following the exodus of leadership from figures like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Nacho, Lucas Vazquez, and Joselu, the scenario is troubling.

The team’s energy, intensity, and discipline, along with Madrid’s training methods and the determination of their fatigued squad to meet the challenges of the upcoming season, must be addressed. There’s an urgent need to improve defensive play from the fullbacks, recruit midfielders capable of controlling matches (such as Manchester City’s Rodri or Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabián Ruiz) and find ways to properly integrate Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé into a cohesive pressing system (or consider selling one).

Whether the next coach is Mauricio Pochettino or José Mourinho (two favored candidates), it’s critical that Madrid aligns their transfer plans with the style of soccer the new coach wishes to implement. This requires cohesive strategy; otherwise, the rebuild will begin from a disadvantageous position.

Interestingly, Barcelona’s success is partially tied to Madrid addressing these challenging tasks.

While Barça is currently in the ascendancy, are they perhaps lulled into complacency, feeling they have more room for error because they do not perceive their rivals as reinstating the same level of competitiveness?

It’s a delicate balance, and anything can happen.