2-4! First defeat of the season! Yamal's world is in turmoil, Flick is too greedy, Barcelona should take the initiative to give up the Champions League
2024-09-29 10:20:18In the 8th round of La Liga, Barcelona faced Osasuna away. Before this match, Barcelona had achieved seven consecutive league victories, scoring 23 goals and becoming the highest-scoring team in the league. However, against a relatively weaker Osasuna, coach Flick made significant adjustments to the lineup, resulting in a 2-4 loss. This not only ended their winning streak but also gave Real Madrid the chance to close the gap in the standings. As the head coach, Flick must take responsibility for this outcome.
Looking at the lineup and the match progression, Barcelona made considerable changes to the starting eleven. Young talents like Yamal were benched, and Ferran Torres was given a starting role. This adjustment did not yield ideal results. Barcelona's midfield defense has not been particularly strong, and after the changes, they failed to put enough pressure on their opponents. Despite holding 75% possession, they lacked a clear advantage in shot attempts, leading to fewer goals and ultimately losing the match.
There are reasons behind Barcelona's lineup adjustments. The team has faced numerous injuries, and the schedule has become increasingly demanding. Following this match, they will soon enter the Champions League. Although it is a home game, Flick likely wanted to provide key players some rest to maintain competitiveness. However, the performance of the substitutes fell short of expectations. While young talents like Yamal are emerging, not every young player can perform at that level, and Barcelona has paid the price for relying on youth.
Given Barcelona's overall lineup, it appears unlikely that they can compete for titles on three fronts. Trying to do too much could lead to a complete collapse. With a relatively thin squad, young players will receive ample playing time, which is beneficial for their growth, but mistakes are inevitable in that process. This has been evident in the performances of players like Ferran Torres, Kubasi, and Domingos.
After this loss, Barcelona is still four points ahead of Real Madrid, who has one game in hand, maintaining an edge in points. From a long-term perspective, it might be wiser for Barcelona to prioritize the league and strategically manage their participation in multiple competitions. Allowing young players to gain experience is important, but targeted trade-offs may yield better results. If Flick is too ambitious, it could lead to a situation where the team gains nothing, which would be the worst-case scenario for Barcelona.