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What Is Happening To FC Barcelona?
Aug 3, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez (5) controls the ball during the first half during an international friendly against Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, FC Barcelona was blazing through the season, seemingly only getting better and better as time went on. 2025/26 couldn’t be more different. Despite some decent performances, the team is clearly struggling, dropping points in both La Liga and the Champions League. What is happening to the Catalan giants?

The Most Recent Defeat

This particular rant is brought on by Barcelona’s most recent showing: their terrible game against the British Chelsea. The match went about as badly as it could have for the team, with some astonishingly underwhelming individual performances.

Barcelona’s problems became evident in the 27th minute. After almost half an hour of dominating the game, Chelsea was hungry for a goal. They made another attack on Joan Garcia’s net. Jules Kounde tried to diffuse the situation, but only ended up making it worse. Instead of moving the ball away from the goal, he accidentally sent it towards it. The own goal was a painful blow for the already struggling team.

That was just the beginning of Barcelona’s terrible evening. Before the first half came to an end, Ronald Araujo’s unnecessary foul earned him a second yellow card of the game. He left the pitch, forcing his team to finish the game at a decided disadvantage.

The second half was even worse for Barcelona. They conceded two more goals, one scored by Estêvão and the other by Liam Delap. The ball found its way into Garcia’s net more than three times during the game, but the other instances were disallowed for being offside. At no point in the match was Blaugrana a serious threat.

What’s The Issue?

The game against Chelsea is the most recent example of Barcelona’s incompetence, but it isn’t the only one. In the 2025/26 season, the team played some disappointing matches both in the La Liga and the Champions League. The meetings with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, or Sevilla immediately come to mind.

It seems like the team’s main problem continues to be its leaky and underwhelming defence. Last season, Barcelona’s high line, led by IñigoMartinez, was the talk of many games. Although it might not have been the best defence seen in the world of professional sports, it was innovative and, most importantly, it worked. Unfortunately, the Spanish footballer left to pursue a career in Saudi Arabia, and he took the defensive magic with him.

What Does Flick Have To Say?

Despite the mediocre performances, Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s coach, says that he will not change the approach.

“Ultimately, some people don’t understand what we need to play with that high defensive line. It’s our own style; it’s not just about the defenders. The forwards and midfielders also initiate the press. That’s what I need from the players.”

Flick reiterated that, in his eyes, the defence isn’t entirely to blame, stating that the team will have problems without effective pressing. He remains optimistic, saying that he is seeing great improvement in training. He hopes that once some of the injured players return to the field, Barcelona will find its footing.


Aug 3, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick looks on during the first half of an international friendly against Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

End Of My Barcelona Rant

One thing is clear: Barcelona is in trouble, and something needs to be done before it’s too late. For now, the team is second in the La Liga standings, but has fallen to 18th in the Champions League. The season is still salvageable, provided that the issues are resolved, and Blaugrana returns to the form we have seen from them last year. For now, the Culers can only pray that Flick’s optimism isn’t misplaced.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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