Barca Breakdown (FC Barcelona)

La Liga Race is On!

After a year hiatus, the Barca  Breakdown returns! A year later, things are looking much better for Barca. With new elections, Barca in the Copa Final, and only 3 points separating Barca from being La Liga leaders, Barca is in a good place. Koeman has lead us through a rough fall and has hit the spring running with great production from our youthful talent.

3 Points but Not Much Else: FC Barcelona Defeat La Real

Thanks to a late Leo Messi penalty, FC Barcelona were able to beat Real Sociedad at Camp Nou. Unfortunately Arthur's injury pregame leaves the already thin squad even thinner. The team did not show up with the fire and passion we expected after a rather embarassing Clasico loss. Hopefully Setien can continue to try and bring the team together to perform as the season hits the critical stage in La Liga and Champions League.

Real Madrid Wanted It More: FC Barcelona Lose El Clasico

We discuss the 2-0 loss at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid. Unfortunately, our players had a horrendous second half and were outperformed by a Madrid team that showed a higher level of passion and intensity. The continued trend of a lacking midfield and weak attack showed themselves again as Barca scored 0 goals across the two Clasicos in La Liga this season. Though it seems gloomy, we have 12 games left in the league and we are only 1 point behind Madrid. Hopefully, Setien will continue to make his mark on the team and fight for the two remaining trophies.

Champions League: Griezmann's Away Goal Helps Barca Secure a Draw in Naples

Barca began the Round of 16 in the Champions League with a 1-1 draw at Napoli. Though Napoli was able to score in the first half, Barca came out energized in the second half as Griezmann slotted home a goal from an assist by Semedo. Vidal was a highlight during the game until he picked up an unfortunate (and deserved) red card near the end of the game. While an away goal is huge, having Busquets/Vidal miss the next game due to card suspensions and Pique's injury certainly do leave the team with some issues for the next game.

Magnificent Messi Scores Four as Barca Beat Eibar!

MESSI! After his longest goal drought in 7 years, four games, Messi comes back with 4 wonderful goals against Eibar. As we have the Champions League match against Napoli as well as El Clasico in the next 8 days, it was wonderful to see FC Barcelona keep a clean sheet and score 5 goals at the Camp Nou. We hope to see a continued trend of improvement in the coming months. Though the team has defensive and midfield (and finishing) issues, Setien overall has created an atmosphere where Barca fans can be hopeful about the direction the team is going (on the field, the Board is a whole different story.....)

Barca-Betis Clash: First League Away Victory since December for FC Barcelona

This week we discuss the Barca clash against Betis in Seville. The game was highly entertaining as 2 red cards and 5 overall goals were involved with Messi providing 3 unreal assists. Led by Frenkie De Jong seeming to return to his best form, the team appears to be continuously improving under Setien. Hopefully the string of good play will help us forget the interpersonal clash between players/staff and the Copa loss to Bilbao.

Déjà vu: Bilbao Strike Late at San Mames to End Barca's Copa Hopes

Again Bilbao were able to beat FC Barcelona at San Mames as they knocked Barca out of the Copa Del Rey today. We discuss whether the big issue was with Setien's lineup or the Barca players performance. Piling on top of the game, issues between Sporting Director Abidal and Messi as well as issues with Messi and Ter Stegen have added to the stress. Hopefully Setien will prove that he is the man who can help us get through these issues and challenge for a trophy this season.

Barca Hand L's to Leganes and Levante in Copa and Liga

This week we discuss the Copa Del Rey Round of 16 victory against Leganes, as well as the La Liga victory against Levante. Though the team is still missing the injured Dembele, we are happy to see Setien make changes to improve the team. There are some worrying signs, including the Griezmann-Messi lack of connection and defensive woes. Hopefully the team can stick together and come through with a big victory against Bilbao in the Copa Quarterfinals this week!

Setien's Barca Fail First Big Test Against Valencia

We discuss the 2-0 loss to Valencia. As Setien has only had two weeks as manager, it is hard to be too harsh on him. Unfortunately, the reality is that this Barca team lack wingers and a striker with Suarez and Dembele out. Hopefully the team will be able to regain some offensive confidence as we play Leganes in the Copa on Thursday.

Griezmann Double Pushes Barca through in the Copa Del Rey

We discuss the Copa game against Ibiza. Unfortunately, the state of the pitch, the opposing players constantly fouling, and the refs inability to give yellow cards led to a poor game. Barca gave up a goal early in the first half that really set the team back and allowed Ibiza to foul and waste time. However, two clinical strikes by Griezmann won the game from an assist by Frenkie and Jordi. Hopefully Griezmann can take this positive game and turn it into motivation as the team will need him firing on all cylinders to beat Valencia this weekend.