Feargal Brennan looks at Barcelona’s fortunes going into the Clasico against Real Madrid this weekend.
Saturday’s Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid may not have had the same hype or build-up surrounding it as it has in previous years, despite solidifying itself as one of the biggest games in world football. However, interest in it has picked up due to two significant factors not normally associated with La Liga’s Battle Royale.
Firstly, the kick-off time of 15:15 in the UK, 16:15 Spanish time, has caused real irritation amongst British fans of La Liga as the embargo placed on the live screening of Saturday afternoon football means the UK will be showing the game at 17:15, when most fans will already know the result.
La Liga President Javier Tebas has openly admitted that the unusual kick-off time is to accommodate viewers in Asia and the US, leaving UK fans to suffer the brunt of his approach.
The other unusual talking point ahead of the Camp Nou showdown is the form of Luis Enrique’s Barcelona side. Ordinarily coming into these games, form is either over-analysed or ignored as they are notoriously difficult to predict.
Regardless, Barca have been somewhat indifferent in recent weeks. Not poor, but nowhere near their collective best. With the gap between the two arguably closer than ever, plus Madrid’s unbelievable form, which sees them unbeaten in Spanish competition since February, it would be impossible for La Blaugrana not to feel the heat.
Still, the issues facing Barca should be viewed in context and without over-exaggeration as they’re still very much in the hunt for La Liga and Champions League glory.
Injuries this season have highlighted that the Catalans do suffer the same as other team, with key trio Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta all spending time on the treatment table. Alba has been ruled out for this weekend, but Pique has been eased back in and Iniesta should be fit.
These injuries have led to regular reshuffles, particularly in defence, which has had a knock-on effect felt throughout the team. Confidence and fluidity appears to have evaded them in recent games as none of Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Celtic were overawed, instead asking Barca plenty of questions.
Enrique has also encountered trouble integrating his summer signings into the squad. Denis Suarez started the season well but has faded in recent weeks, with the physicality of central midfield troubling him. Likewise, Andre Gomes has had a underwhelming start to life with La Blaugrana, playing in various midfield roles and without looking certain in any of them.
Forward Paco Alcacer, although used mainly as a substitute, has yet to score for Barcelona, and his confidence looks to be in tatters. Defenders Lucas Digne and Samuel Umtiti have been the pick of the new boys so far, with Umtiti staking his claim for a permanent spot in defence.
The game itself, meanwhile, is already being talked of as something of a title decider. Premature it may be, yet Barca need at least a draw on Saturday to stop Zinedine Zidane’s charges breaking 10 points clear.
The issue would not be the hosts going into freefall with a defeat – it would be the lack of anyone else hauling back Madrid.
The primary issues that Enrique needs to guard against on Saturday are the ruthless efficiency that Los Blancos have displayed in attack and their penchant for late goals. A line-up with experience and pace is needed to counter their opponents’ blistering form.
The return of Iniesta alongside Sergio Busquets should account for the former, but pace is something that needs to be addressed urgently on the training ground.
Elsewhere, Umtiti for Javier Mascherano at centre-back could be a good move as the Frenchman has the pace to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in check plus the aerial presence to match the Portuguese and Karim Benzema.
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