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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
(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Getty Images

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.

7-POINT GAP: RAPHINHA'S BRACE BREAKS OSASUNA FOR SEVENTH STRAIGHT WIN

Raphinha's late brace secured a crucial 2-0 win for Barcelona against Osasuna, extending their La Liga lead to seven points and achieving their first clean sheet in six games.

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Raphinha's Versatility Seals Crucial Victory

Raphinha's strike from the edge of the box after 70 minutes secured Barca's seventh straight league win.

Real Madrid, in second place, plays Alaves on Sunday, hoping to close the gap on the leaders to four points.

Barca wasn't at their best but still managed to win, also keeping their first clean sheet in six games.

They also secured their fifth straight victory at their newly reopened Camp Nou.

(The win) has a lot of merit. They were well-organised, and it was hard to find a way through. With patience and a lot of possession, we did it, Barca defender Gerard Martin told Movistar.

A clean sheet gives the team stability, and the goals always come.

Ferran Torres, who started instead of Robert Lewandowski after his hat trick against Real Betis, almost scored early on, but his shot from Lamine Yamal's cross went over the bar.

At the other end, Joan Garcia easily saved Ante Budimir's shot. Osasuna looked to attack Barca on the counter.

Yamal had a couple of shots saved in a frustrating first half for him and Barca.

Torres headed in Marcus Rashford's cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

The Spain international's overhead kick went just wide, and Garcia made another good save to deny Budimir before halftime.

Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera saved a Rashford free kick early in the second half as Barca looked to continue their winning streak.

They struggled to break down Osasuna, but Raphinha received the ball on the edge of the box to fire a shot into the bottom right corner.

Osasuna's Jorge Herrando, who was sent off on his debut for the club at Camp Nou in 2023, had a goal disallowed after Alejandro Catena collided with Barca goalkeeper Garcia.

Soon after, Raphinha scored at the far post after Alejandro Catena deflected Jules Kounde's cross into his path with four minutes left.

Raphinha, who started in a central attacking midfield role, was one of the team's top players last season as they won a domestic treble and has impressed since returning from injury.

We've got a lot of good players, and Rapha, or anyone else who plays inside, gives us a lot of options in that position, Martin added.

FRENKIE DE JONG RETURNS? THE KEY MIDFIELD DECISION HANSI FLICK FACES AHEAD OF OSASUNA

FC Barcelona is winning, but is the midfield complete? We analyse why Hansi Flick must start Frenkie de Jong tonight against Osasuna to strengthen the team.

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Should Flick Start €45M Star Frenkie De Jong vs Osasuna

Later today, FC Barcelona plays CA Osasuna in La Liga at Camp Nou. They've been doing great in their last five league games, and they'll want to keep that winning streak going.

Everyone's wondering which players Flick will pick for this important game. He's been trying out new things lately, so we'll see if he sticks with that.

At Sempre Barca, we think Flick should start Frenkie de Jong against Osasuna. It's time he got back in the starting lineup.

Frenkie last started against Chelsea, then missed two games because he was sick. He was ready for the next two games, against Real Betis and Eintracht Frankfurt, but Flick chose to start Eric Garcia as the No. 6 instead.

Flick suggested that this was his choice, not because Frenkie wasn't fit to play. Still, the Dutchman, who's worth €45 million, is a key player and should be back in the lineup against Osasuna.

Eric has been playing well as the No. 6 lately. If Flick goes with a 4-3-3 when they don't have the ball, Frenkie could play next to him in midfield. That would make Barcelona really strong in the middle.

There's no question about what Frenkie brings to the team or if he fits in this setup. It's just a matter of when he'll be back in the starting XI, and we're hoping it's tonight against Osasuna.

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