Lessons to be learnt after Barcelona's defeat to Sevilla

Although Flick and his players deserve a vote of confidence, there were worrying symptoms at the Sánchez Pizjuán, some of which have already been repeated.

Hansi Flick and his players have earned a vote of confidence due to their performance and attitude over the 16 months the German coach has been on the Barcelona bench. It is not the first time there has been a crisis of results, and the most notable one from last season, that 'Shit December' as the German coach dubbed it, was overcome with a vigorous and encouraging response. But now, upon the return of international commitments, it is time to give a convincing answer to avoid a 'Shit October' and erase the worrying symptoms that emerged against PSG, with the excuse of acknowledging that the opponent was a superior team. However, these issues were already evident without any safety net in Seville, as the rival compensated for their supposed footballing inferiority with an intensity, speed, and approach that Barcelona could not match, either on the pitch or from the bench. Several alarms have been raised
WEARINESS OF AN IDEA
The advanced defense plan to put opponents offside requires blind faith from the players, which they currently lack—both from those pressing the passer and those living on the edge, knowing they will be in the spotlight for allowing the opponent a clear chance or failing to make the final pass. Iñigo Martínez, even though he didn't like taking so many risks, was the 'madman' Flick needed to execute the idea. And he is no longer here. The praised bravery has turned into alarming naivety because there is no collective coordination or aggression in recovery. Either these concepts are regained, or the way of defending needs to be rethought
LACK OF ENERGY
Resorting to physicality or intensity may seem like a cliché when it's a journalistic argument, but it isn't when the players themselves use that explanation. De Jong spoke of "fatigue" due to "seven games in 21 days," Pau Cubarsí lamented that "we didn't enter the game with the intensity it deserved," and Pedri also noted a "lack of intensity," among other shortcomings. This is where the excuses about the absences of highly intense players like Raphinha, Fermín, Gavi, and Lamine come in; even Joan García's absence is valid because he is faster than Szczesny when coming off his line to cut out offside breaks. But then doubts arise about the depth of the squad used by Hansi Flick. If the team arrived at the Sánchez Pizjuán so physically depleted, it is incomprehensible that Marc Casadó didn't play a single minute or that Andreas Christensen came on so late. Marc Bernal's situation is understandable because he is recovering from a serious injury, but he needs minutes to regain his form. And one day, they will have to bet on the freshness of 17-year-old Toni Fernández or give more confidence to Pedro 'Dro' Fernández, also of that age
THE COACH'S RESPONSE
Flick is an idol to the fans. This is logical given what he achieved last season. But this season, he seems less bold in his decisions and slower in making adjustments. Against PSG, he kept Lamine Yamal on the pitch when everyone could see that 60 minutes after his injury was more than enough. He couldn't be pushed any further, he gave no more, and he re-injured himself. Marc Casadó has mysteriously been reduced to a residual role. There are no tactical tweaks that can quickly change a poor dynamic. In Seville, he let a first half pass where the game could have been decided and didn't change anything until halftime. That 'slap to the egos' in Vallecas left questions hanging. He surely has the solutions; perhaps he hasn't wanted to be radical out of respect for those who won so much last year. But something has to change now
OPPONENTS ARE COPYING
It's a law of football. Barcelona surprises less because opponents study those who have hurt them and try to copy them. Leaving a forward offside so that when there's a break down the wing, they can hang back behind the ball to be onside has become a constant. Rayo did it with Isi Palazón on the day of the 1-1 draw, Gonçalo Ramos, scorer of PSG's 1-2, admitted to doing it, and Isaac Romero exploited it in Seville. It has also become clear that Barcelona's midfield struggles with individual marking. Matias Almeyda's team, with three physical powerhouses like Sow, Mendy, and Agoumé, didn't let Pedri, De Jong, and Olmo breathe. Against this, Barcelona must learn to play more directly. Or ask the center-backs to be bolder with the ball, as happened in Seville when Eric broke lines with his dribbles—admittedly, after coming on in the second half, because in the first half they were marking Cubarsí and Araujo wasn't sure
SUSPICIOUS REFEREES' DECISIONS
It's no excuse because Sevilla wasted several clear chances to go 2-0 up through their own merits, but they needed two controversial refereeing decisions to do so. However much Araujo fell into Isaac's trap in a non-dangerous play, it takes a lot of love for theater for Del Cerro to urge Muñiz to reverse a decision he had made two meters from the play, where there was nothing. Similarly, if Del Cerro called Muñiz over for that incident, it's incomprehensible that he didn't warn him about Suazo's foul on Koundé at the origin of the 2-0. As always, those who cheat are rewarded. Isaac pulled off "the salmon leap," as Mateu Lahoz called it, while Koundé wanted to keep playing from the ground. Against such tactics, you also have to know how to play. Araujo must be even more cautious, and Koundé, much as he loves football, should go down theatrically after the first strong contact.