Barcelona under Hansi Flick had an impressive start to La Liga with 33/36 maximum points. However, a decline with only 1 win in the last 6 matches has narrowed the gap with the teams below to an alarming level.
Barca’s slump was not due to a lack of scoring chances. On the contrary, they still created plenty of quality football, even more than in their resounding 4-0 win over Real Madrid in October. However, a lack of sharpness in front of goal and moments of bad luck cost the Blaugrana.
The Catalans scored more goals than expected in their first 11 games but have been ineffective since then, with their actual goals tally falling four goals short of their expected tally. In addition, offside decisions by millimetres, such as Robert Lewandowski's against Real Sociedad, have turned the tide.
Hansi Flick's tactical versatility has been a highlight of his time at Barcelona. Early in the season, the Camp Nou side made the most of the width of the pitch with Alejandro Balde advancing from the left flank, while Lamine Yamal stretched the opposition's shape down the right.
This arrangement allows Barca to exploit the middle with technical combinations. However, opponents are gradually realizing this. Leganes are a typical example when they deploy a 5-4-1 formation to block the familiar attacking lines of the Blaugrana.
While it doesn't completely negate the attacking power, this approach forces Barcelona players into physical struggles and forces them to make quicker decisions. This reduces the quality of possession for Lewandowski and his teammates.
Barcelona's defensive system with the offside trap remains a major strength. To date, the Catalans have caught opponents offside 105 times, 48 more than any other team in Europe's top five leagues. However, as opponents have studied and innovated their play, Barca's system has also shown its flaws.
Unexpected passes like Giovani Lo Celso's (Real Betis) or Real Sociedad's quick corner kick show that Barcelona are easily exploited if the opponent makes good use of the speed and space behind the high defense.
Despite their struggles, Barca have shown that they are maintaining superior defensive and attacking quality compared to their opponents. Hansi Flick's team's expected goal differential remains the best in La Liga, demonstrating their ability to create more chances than the goals they concede.
However, with a tight schedule and a young, inexperienced squad, the Camp Nou team needs to be more careful in their tactical operations. A more flexible defensive system can help reduce pressure on the defense and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
With Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid closing in on them and Barca playing one more game, another misstep could see them fall behind in the title race. Adaptation will be the key for Hansi Flick and his players to get through this difficult time.
