Barcelona lead their Champions League group with seven points from their opening three games, an impressive tally having taken on Borussia Dortmund and Slavia Prague on the road as well as hosting Inter.
It should be a reason to rejoice, but the reality isn't so positive. The Catalans have suffered a lot in each of their European fixtures so far, and they've looked troubled.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been their saviour in the three games, by far being their best player and making big saves to earn them the points.
No control
It happened in Dortmund, at home to Inter and in Prague. Barcelona aren't controlling the games as they'd like, and their midfield aren't dominating the ball.
Physically inferior
Barcelona are being outrun by their opposition. Inter ran 10 kilometres more, while Slavia ran 16 more.
Lacking leadership
In moments of anxiety, they don't have a Carles Puyol figure to pull things together. Nobody has taken over from him, as was seen in Prague.
No solutions from the bench
Ernesto Valverde can't find solutions. Something isn't working and Ter Stegen's comments prove there's a problem.
Lack of goals
Luis Suarez can't score away from home and aside from Lionel Messi, they're struggling.
TaslimAlamat
3064
Useless things in the world [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
raynknight
1349
One question: Is this app installed on Bartemou's Phone ?
FaithEvans
549
Other than "No control" all the other points were just plain pathetic bullshit, Andrés Iniesta always said the goal of Barcelona is to make the opponents run more than them, Cruyff's legacy is to play the ball, not run like headless chickens... its an away game, how can u complain about goals when u won 2-1? they scored 11 goals from the previous 4 games but suddenly, there's no goals... No leadership is more stupid on a day the captain score a goal and created the other, I'm sorry but I've watched games with Charles Puyol on the pitch and Barça lost 7-0 on aggregate, the greatness of the team was down to Pep Guardiola and his systems, anybody can wear City captain band now, doesn't matter if David Silva shouts or not, the system is in place and that will win them games, this leadership talk is cheap and overrated... No solutions from the bench, really?! the first 11 is as good as any other team on this planet, so why worry about the bench?... all these are just petty things people bring up to find a way to criticize Ernesto Valverde!
wabzidane
416
The truth is that Messi is not a good leader ....we need a leader that will not take friendship into the pitch ...like Messi and Suarez case ...we need a leader that will carry all the players along not a leader that would be looking to pass the ball to his friend ...we need a leader that will shout and cushion the players when they are not playing well or when they are being lazy....we need a leader that will raise the temple of the game and the fans .. we need an outspoken leader that will not be afraid to shout at any player that is not being serious Wether you are Suarez or p.k or Jordi alba and finally we need a leader that will be free with all the players in the team and not be selective a leader that will be more like friends to all the players ...and we all know Messi is all this things
feycmotu
276
Agreed. Problem is too much space between midfield and the back when we lose the ball. 3 years same shit from Valverde.
Desmondeyum
278
As the players are training valverde has to be going for Coaching lessons
Maxpower
239
Barcelona need to get together and gain control of their matches otherwise another lead will be blown, or even worse they'll be completely destroyed by their mistakes, they're facing teams that cant exactly get too into it due to the respect they have for Barcelona but when a team that is of the same level that sees themselvea capable of knocking Barcelona out or a team that has nothing to lose, they will hurt Barcelona. They have made too many mistakes in giving the ball away from the back, that's not the Barcelona we know. Dembele almost could've cost them a goal in the match, and Pique and Lenglet almost tangled each other up with their passing, putting pressure on each other. My biggest detail is probably Messi only searching for Suarez, Dembele and Griezmann both ignored by Messi when they were in great positions for a pass
Benjo22
197
Being a captain is beyond goals, Messi doesnt talk to his team on the pitch at all, only in the tunnels, something a captain cant be doing. A captain must correct their mistakes and tell the team where to be if they're not aware of it. Messi is too quiet on the pitch to be a captain, something that is taken too lightly. Pique fits to be the captain or even Arthur in how they tell their teammates to move up or move back when they stand still.
The captain is not all about opening his mouth...just check the history where Pique starts as the captain,they all lose the game and drew once.... idiot
Phoenix18
160
Since the squad is full strength now.... Barcelona are contending their moves up to the UCL but there is a long way to travel and if truthfully I mean to say.... Barcelona lack that Champions intent. they can't give up goals..... Slavia Praha was underestimated and even after putting the 1-0 scoreline at 3' it shouldn't have been the case leading to 2-1 win.... We failed to rebuild the tactics or even the lead ( forget about the own goal ).... Valverde's tactics were again not up to the Blaugrana Style and we can actually accept a see out again this season..... Barcelona need to develop attacking style, can't just try passing the ball to One Man Army (messi) I believe Barcelona can work upon and deliver product with dignity 💪 We still have high hopes from this season, but calculating the factors involved.... i personally feel a little worried also 🔵🔴 VISCA BARCA 💪🔵🔴 Hope to see better next time 💪🔵🔴
hihcekstu
160
Valverde can't substitute Suarez that's the problem... i prefer the work of Semedo, Ter stegen and De jong but we honestly need to change this bullshit slow motion type of play if we are to win this UCL. Busquet is like a turtle these days, he plays more backward than pressing my opinion is to use Rakitic, Vidal, De jong as starters and Messi,Dembele/ansu fati, and Griezzman as attack... the team should also increase their speed and use the chances of count attack. they should also get rid of unnecessary dribbling and use more of tik tak (1 touch) as much as possible. we also lack the long range shoots ever since Coutinho left and Rakitic benched...we loose too many chances at the opponents goal by making unnecessary dribbles and passes...they shoot be confident to shoot once they get closer to the opponent's Goal. NB: ALL THE ABOVE OPINIONS CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND FRUITFUL BY THE SACKING OF VALVERDE AND HIRING A GREAT COACH...HOW CAN U ASK A MANAGER WHO'S NEVER WON EVEN AN ALLUMINIUM TROPHY TO BRING U THE MIGHTY U.C.L ? COACHES GIVE WHAT THEY HAVE/HAD ... that's my view...VISCA BARÇA🔵🔴
Girish7Coutinho
88
5 questions worrying all our Barça fans 1.when are u gonna sack valverde cuz he has absolutely no idea what to do with these talented players! 2.Luis Suarez is done and rusted ! u might say he scored previously but yeah out of 30 barrage of clear chances even my little brother would score! solution : sign lautaro Martinez 3.please sign a great CB for the future of Barça! Sol :de ligt, he is not happy at juve and the style is not suiting him he would be happy to leave 4.who is that perfect player who could give all 90 mins in the midfield along de jong and Arthur 5.last but not the least, Who the fuck signed this useless VALVERDE,! 🤔😡