Why is Barcelona Struggling in 2024/25 La Liga Season?
Barcelona’s forward, Lamine Yamal expressing exhaustion after a disappointing la Liga match. Photo Credit- Forbes
Barcelona, a club synonymous with success and attacking ability, finds itself struggling just mid-season of the 2024/25 La Liga season. After a hot start, the Catalan giants have experienced a significant poor form, raising concerns among football enthusiasts. This piece is set to discuss the various reasons behind Barcelona’s current struggles, examining tactical decisions, squad depth, player performances, and financial constraints.
Reasons for Barcelona Recent Struggles
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona adopted an aggressive high-pressing system, characterized by a high defensive line aimed at causing difficulty for opponents and regaining possession swiftly. Initially, this approach yielded impressive results, including commanding victories over arch-rivals Real Madrid both in the league and in the Super Cup competition.
However, as the season progressed, opposing teams like Leganes and more recently Getafe have begun to exploit the apparent risks of such tactics. By targeting spaces behind the advanced defensive line and employing well-timed runs from midfield, opposition teams have managed to breach Barcelona’s defense, leading to unexpected setbacks.
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Moreover, a tough schedule, compounded by injuries, has exposed the lack of depth in Barcelona’s squad. Key players have been overextended, leading to fatigue and a consequent dip in performance levels. The limited rotation options have forced Flick to rely heavily on a core group, making the team more predictable and less dynamic. This overreliance has been particularly evident in the attack, for example Lamine Yamal and the absence of strong alternatives has reduced creativity and goal-scoring ability.
In addition, Barcelona’s attacking output has seen an obvious decline. After netting 40 goals in their first 12 matches, the team managed just 10 in the subsequent six games. Striker Robert Lewandowski, who led the scoring charts early on, has struggled to maintain his form, with only two goals since November. The poor attacking efficiency has increased the team’s predictability from opponents and the lack of impactful contributions from the bench.
It will be a shame in this piece, if Barcelona’s well-documented financial challenges is not discussed to act as a catalyst in the recent struggles with winning matches and advancing in the title The Blaugranas financial setbacks continue to limit their operations. Despite efforts to stabilize the situation, including reporting a positive ordinary profit of €12 million for the 2023/24 season, the club’s liabilities remain substantial.
While these players are humans and not machines, it is expected that with the current results of the club which is the composition of tactical setbacks, player fatigue, and financial instability has inevitably impacted the team morale. The pressure to perform amidst mounting challenges can lead to low confidence, further affecting performances on the pitch.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s current predicament is a confluence of tactical rigidity, insufficient squad depth, declining offensive output, and overarching financial woes. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach: tactical adjustments to mitigate defensive vulnerabilities, strategic squad rotation to manage player workload, and prudent financial management to enable future investments. The road to recovery is fraught with challenges, but with introspection and decisive action, Barcelona can navigate this turbulent phase and restore its esteemed position in Spanish football.
