New Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick, was appointed this summer to take the club to the next step. It was presumed that the club reached a standstill with former manager Xavi Hernandez. However, it has been a very abnormal season for Barcelona so far, where cracks of inconsistency have arisen lately, why has this been the case?
The Catalonian club are currently sitting at the top of the La Liga table, four points ahead of their rivals Real Madrid. While placed in promotion spots in the Champions League, sitting in third.
However lately, we have seen issues start to ramp up, especially in the domestic league. Even though they are ahead of Madrid in the league, that is with two games in hand.
With the outstanding form that Barca was in only a couple of weeks ago. How have they let go of such a big gap?
Defeating the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in separate competitions, and convincingly. Bridging an eight-point gap in the league too, the only pattern that has been established lately is the 17-year-old’s presence.
Was Lamine Yamal the missing piece?
The Spanish youngster was sidelined for a couple of weeks lately, only just coming back to the starting 11 last night. So let’s go through how Barcelona dealt with his short absence.
Yamal missed exactly three games out of the starting team since his injury. Those game being, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, and Las Palmas. The first two games were played away, while the Las Palmas match at the Estadi Olimipic Lluis Companys stadium.
In those three games, Barca went winless in every game, while losing twice to both Sociedad and Las Palmas. Therefore on the face of things, it looks like Yamal has been the difference. Let’s dive deeper though.
The winger this season has appeared in 14 games in the Spanish league, finding the back of the net on five occasions. While being the league’s top provider with eight assists.
When taking a closer look at how Barcelona operates with and without the Spanish star, it looks very similar. However, individual quality can never be underestimated. One player can make a difference due to his ability to problem-solve in the toughest situations.
Take Barcelona’s latest win for example, where Yamal returned to the starting XI. Although he created two big chances, made two key passes and won a penalty in the process.
His assist for Raphinha’s second of the night was the talking point. Positioned in a place where he could have taken his nearest defender on, Yamal had the vision to see the Brazilian’s run into the box.
Executing a delightful outside-of-the-foot pass, placed directly into the feet of Raphinha to score the third goal of the game. Although Yamal jokingly spoke about his assist after the game, saying “The pass with the outside of my foot? Just press L2, I guess!”.
That ability to create something out of nothing is remarkable.
What next for Barca?
Although they are currently at the top of the league, Barcelona will now have to regain the form of the season earlier. In addition to redeeming themselves and picking up points, however, their next five games will provide them with a tough test.
In all competitions, their next five matches will feature the likes of Real Betis away, and Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park. As well as Atletico Madrid at home, and a trip to Saudia Arabia for the Super Cup Semi-Final against Athletic Club.
Therefore, it will be crucial to press on the gas after their previous 1-5 win against Mallorca. They could very easily be playing catch-up in the league if Madrid win their games in hand.
Summary
Barcelona have to be careful with the game management of the EUROS winner, but they could be left with no choice as his effectiveness looks to be increasing by the day.