Having just crossed the half-way mark, Barcelona’s season has not gone according to plan and most importantly, there is very little scope for improvement. All the eyeballs were glued to Barcelona as the club struggled and fought to keep Lionel Messi in their ranks. Ronald Koeman was also appointed as the head coach of the team, but the story has not changed much from last season.
The Catalans are once again starring at a trophyless season with below-par performances from the entire team. The 4th Official reflects on Barcelona’s miserable season so far and what can be done from here on for Ronald Koeman’s side –
La Liga
Barcelona 2020/21 Season Rewind
Barcelona started the season in the worst possible fashion and it has gradually settled in from there. However, the damage was done earlier on and Barca are three points adrift of second-placed Real Madrid and nine points behind league leaders Atletico de Madrid. Although it seems like a dramatic end to the season is on the cards, Barcelona have very slim chances of winning the league, keeping in mind their shaky and wobbly performances throughout the season. With four draws and four defeats in 22 matches, Barcelona are barely recognisable as the side that would win La Liga each and each every season with commendable dedication and determination.
Injuries to crucial players like Ter Stegen, Lionel Messi, Ansu Fati and Gerard Pique, at various parts of the season have also hampered the Catalan’s chances of winning the Primera Divison title. The entire fiasco surrounding the resignation of former President, Josep Maria Bartomeu has also taken a toll on the club’s atmosphere. Despite the staggering points gap between Atletico and Barcelona, La Liga remains the only competition where Barca are practically alive and can revive their season from a league win.
UEFA Champions League
After a calm and composed group stage campaign until Matchday 5, Barcelona were humbled 3-0 by Juventus at the Camp Nou for Group G’s final fixture. The Catalans thus finished second in the group and were drawn with Paris Saint-Germain.
Months later, Barcelona are looking at a RO16 exit from the competition after a 4-1 rout at home in the first leg clash against PSG. Ronald Koeman & Co. have a mammoth mountain to climb at Parc des Princes Stadium in the second leg. This Paris Saint-Germain result will be another one to add to Barcelona’s European disasters in recent years after their previous performances against Liverpool, AS Roma and Bayern Munich
Copa del Rey
Barcelona’s Kings Cup campaign started on a winning note against Cornella and was followed by wins against Rayo Vallecano and Granada. Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid had already crashed out of the competition under surprising circumstances making Barcelona the favourites once again to clinch the title.
However, another shocker followed when Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla side beat the Cules 2-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in the first leg of the semi-final. Although this result can be turned around easily, it would be a difficult bet to make keeping in mind the club’s poor form currently.
Supercopa de Espana
Barcelona started the calendar year 2021 with all guns blazing and headed into the tournament being absolute favourites ahead of Real Madrid who were struggling with injuries and form. After a win in the semi-final against Real Sociedad, Barcelona were to play Athletic Club de Bilbao in the Final and against all odds the Basque side emerged victoriously.
The Cules were caught up in the final as the match went into extra time and Ronald Koeman was left blank tactically. The Supercopa de Espana became another embarrassing moment in Barcelona’s history, whereas it could have been the club’s only realistic chance of winning any sort of silverware this season. The Catalan giants are architects of their own downfall and have no one to blame but themselves for the miserable season that they are having.
In conclusion, it will not be too harsh to say that the club have lost all focus this season and a lot of onfield as well as off the field factors have not gone their way, thus, summing up their dismal 2020/21 season so far.
