BARCELONA’S DECLINE CONTINUES, PROVING EXCUSES ABOUT INJURIES FALL SHORT

Analysing Barcelona's troubled start: Are injuries or flawed tactics to blame? With a disjointed press and exposed high line, Hansi Flick's system is under scrutiny after a shaky El Clásico performance against a dominant Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s decline continues, proving excuses about injuries fall short
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There will be a lot to consider for Barcelona in the days ahead, but the argument about why Real Madrid started the season as the better team in La Liga is still up for debate.

Are injuries the main source of Barcelona's bad luck, or are they just not as good as they were a year ago?

The fact that so many starters are out is undoubtedly a major factor. Specifically, Raphinha and Joan García's absence and Iñigo Martínez's unexpected summertime departure. The loss of Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski leaves Hansi Flick with few options in terms of depth.

However, the first forty-five minutes of the match versus Real Madrid were problematic. Although I do have some reservations about his choice to start Ferran Torres over Marc Casadó, Flick was able to select a competent starting group. Casadó's tenacity and ability to press Frenkie de Jong and Pedri up the field might have given the Blaugrana the advantage in the match.

In actuality, under Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid has been a self-assured, well-organised, and motivated squad. Since the start of this season, Barcelona has not appeared to be its best self.

Barcelona appears to no longer trust the strategies they are using, whilst Real Madrid has a system that they are dedicated to. They struggle to hang onto the ball, press poorly, and frequently expose their high line in key situations.

Only the manager can resolve this issue. In order to put the team in a better position to win despite the challenging circumstances, it would seem evident that the tactics must change to take into account their handicap if the injuries are the primary problem and the inability to rotate and call on depth pieces is the outcome.

So far, there has been no indication of sincere reflection. The concern is that rather than taking responsibility for their actions, Barcelona will begin to justify itself.

The season has a long way to go. Barcelona would be well to begin creating a backup plan, even if the cavalry arrives, or at the very least, figure out how to make their system work under Flick.

If that is what happens under Flick moving forward, it would be disappointing to wait for Raphinha and company to return and hope that the issues will be miraculously resolved.

Everyone should now be aware that the methods are a major contributing factor to the issue, and the one that Flick can influence.

A great deal of talent is available to him. His style of attacking football may be played in a variety of ways.

Although a revolution is not necessary, both fans and commentators, as well as perhaps the majority of the locker room at this juncture, anticipate an instant reaction.

In addition to improving the players' attitude and level of effort, the coach must assist his team by explaining a winning strategy.

The last one had gone bad. Change is long overdue.

BARCELONA SECURE 14-POINT LEAD OVER MADRID; ESPANYOL RESULT NOW DETERMINES TITLE

Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres scored late to move Barcelona 14 points clear, leaving them one Madrid loss from the title.

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Lewandowski and Torres strike late as Barca secure tenth straight league win - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Barcelona now sit 14 points ahead of Real Madrid, and if Madrid slips up against Espanyol on Sunday, the title’s theirs.

Lewandowski finally broke the deadlock after 81 minutes, nodding in a header, and Torres added another four minutes from the end. Osasuna didn't quit, though Raul Garcia pulled one back late, but Barcelona held on for all three points. They’re inching closer to a second league title in a row, the club’s 29th overall.

If Madrid beats Espanyol, Barcelona’s next chance to seal it comes in the Clásico on May 10 against their biggest rivals.

Flick’s trying to keep his team’s focus on the next match rather than the Clasico, but Barcelona played the first half like a squad with little to lose. Missing the injured Lamine Yamal, they lost a chunk of their energy on the attack. Sure, they dominated possession, but breaking down Osasuna for real chances? That was tough.

Roony Bardghji, filling in for Yamal on the right, managed a decent long shot, but Osasuna’s keeper, Sergio Herrera, had no trouble stopping it. Honestly, Osasuna nearly shocked everyone before halftime. Ante Budimir battled through two defenders and poked the ball off the post.

Barcelona picked up the pace after the break. Dani Olmo should’ve scored from close range, but he fluffed it. Flick then rolled the dice from the bench, bringing on three subs, including Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, to take over the right flank.

Rashford almost made an immediate impact, curling a shot just over and injecting some much-needed speed. He set up the opener too, swinging in a perfect cross for Lewandowski, who lost his marker and buried his header. Torres, another sub, finished with precision to double the lead.

Still, it wasn’t comfortable. Garcia scored for Osasuna in stoppage time, left wide open in the box, forcing Barcelona to sweat out the last minutes. The Catalans dug in, clearing everything in sight as Osasuna pressed, but finally, they held on for their tenth league win in a row. Now, all they can do is wait.

REVEALED: THE FIVE TOTTENHAM PLAYERS BARCELONA WANT IF SPURS DROP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Barcelona scouts identified Xavi Simons, Lucas Bergvall, Van de Ven, Romero, and Porro as potential summer transfer targets.

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Five Tottenham stars linked to Barcelona exit as Spurs' relegation looms large - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Barcelona’s got its eye on Tottenham, and if Spurs end up dropping out of the Premier League, things could get wild. You can see why there’s talk that Barcelona’s ready to swoop in and scoop up some of Tottenham’s top talent on the cheap, especially since Tottenham’s facing the possibility of relegation. It’s a mess in North London right now, and Barcelona’s not the only big club watching closely.

Diario SPORT says Barcelona is scouting at least five of Tottenham’s key players. If Spurs really do go down, suddenly a bunch of their stars could be up for grabs at knockdown prices. And with Barcelona still juggling its finances, bargain deals like these are tough for it to pass up.

Xavi Simons is one they’re watching closely. He came up through La Masia, so bringing him back would feel like coming home, plus he’d add plenty of flair and versatility in midfield. Lucas Bergvall’s interesting, too; he almost joined Barcelona before picking Spurs. Injuries and lack of minutes have slowed him down in London, but Barcelona hasn’t stopped believing he’s got huge potential. They could finally land him after missing out on him a couple of years ago.

In defence, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are high on Barca’s wish list. Both guys have proven themselves in the Premier League, and adding them would instantly boost Barcelona’s options at the back. Van de Ven stands out for his speed and ability to play from deep; he’d be a great partner for Pau Cubarsi, and together they could form one of Europe’s most balanced defensive duos.

Pedro Porro’s name is also in the mix. He’d fit right into Barcelona’s attacking style at right-back, but whether they go for him depends on what happens with Jules Kounde. If Barcelona decides to sell Kounde to help balance the books, Porro’s seen as the go-to replacement to deliver attacking runs from defence, which Hansi Flick wants.

All this talk hangs on how Tottenham finishes the season. There are only four Premier League games left, and if Spurs manage to stay up, these deals get way trickier. If they go down, expect a rush of bids not just from Barcelona but also from clubs all over Europe. Still, the chance to play at Camp Nou and return to Champions League football is a big draw, so Barcelona might have the upper hand as things heat up this summer.

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