Barcelona suffered a 1-2 defeat to Las Palmas at Montjuic, marking their second loss in three La Liga matches. The team lacked their usual intensity.
Las Palmas took the lead early in the second half, but Raphinha quickly equalized for Barcelona. However, a defensive error allowed Las Palmas to regain the advantage, and Barcelona couldn’t recover.
Here are three key takeaways from Barcelona’s 1-2 loss to Las Palmas:
Casado’s absence proves costly
Marc Casado’s suspension following his red card against Celta Vigo was heavily felt in this match. Without the La Masia graduate, Barcelona struggled to maintain control and stability in midfield. The partnership between Gavi and Pedri failed to replicate Casado’s defensive strength. Although Gavi and Pedri played reasonably well, the absence of Casado allowed Las Palmas to easily break through the midfield. His influence is missed, and Barcelona are feeling his absence in crucial matches.
The decline in La Liga continues
Barcelona have now dropped eight points from their last nine in La Liga, causing their lead at the top to vanish. If Real Madrid win their games in hand, they could overtake Barcelona.
Just a month ago, Barcelona were in strong form and seemed like serious title contenders. However, their performance has since dipped, and their inability to sustain good form has made them vulnerable.
Who is to blame?
The team’s poor run has sparked questions about who is responsible. Although the players are still putting in effort, fatigue is becoming apparent. Manager Hansi Flick’s demanding tactical system was expected to lead to some slip-ups.
Flick’s approach is not the issue, and the players have done their best. Barcelona need to view this slump as a temporary setback and regroup for the challenges ahead.
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