Barcelona are facing a big problem as their substitutes have failed to show their worth, costing the Blaugrana points in recent times. The disappointing 2-2 draw against Real Betis is a clear example of this problem.
Barca took the lead twice but Betis equalized both times. There were even times when the Catalan team was under great pressure from their opponents. Seeing that the situation was not good, Hansi Flick also made changes to refresh the squad but the results were not as expected.
After only 5 minutes on the field, Frenkie de Jong made a mistake with a foul on Vitor Roque, leading to a second penalty for Betis. It was not the first time the Dutch midfielder had difficulty coming off the bench. In previous matches, he also failed to make a difference, even putting the team at a disadvantage. This is a sign that Barca's bench lacks depth and effectiveness.
Not only De Jong, other young players and reserves of the Camp Nou team are also disappointing. Fermin Lopez, the star who shone in the second phase of last season, has not made any significant contributions in La Liga this season. The Spanish midfielder's lackluster performances in defeats to Real Sociedad and Las Palmas have lost the trust of Hansi Flick.
In addition, Ferran Torres has not yet reached a good enough form to compete for a starting position despite scoring in two consecutive matches. In addition, reserve defenders such as Gerard Martin and Hector Fort often make serious mistakes. In the match against Celta Vigo, Martin was almost sent off and had to leave the field right after the first half. For Fort, the 18-year-old star showed immaturity and lack of experience in situations that led to goals against Las Palmas or Real Betis.
Barcelona are relying too much on their first team and this has led to a clear state of exhaustion among the players. Key players such as Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Lewandowski are often forced to leave the pitch early to save their energy for other important matches. Against Betis, all three were substituted with the score still at 1-1, which left the Blaugrana without enough strength to win.
“Barca have a young squad that needs to improve a lot. Our quality is enough to win but the players need to prove it,” said coach Hansi Flick.
Barca also face a busy schedule in the coming period, including important Champions League matches. If the reserve players do not improve their performance, the Catalan team risks failure on both fronts. This will not only affect short-term results but also put great pressure on Hansi Flick and the team's leadership.
Barcelona need contributions from players outside the first team more than ever. However, the current problems mean that Flick must look to improve squad depth immediately. This is not just a tactical issue, but also the development of young players and how they adapt to the high demands of the team.
The bench is not just a source of support, it is also a decisive factor in the success or failure of long-distance races. It is time for Barca's reserve players to prove their worth, not only to save the season but also to ensure a sustainable future for the Camp Nou team.
