It is remarkable how things can suddenly change in the space of a few weeks. Prior to October 25, La Blaugrana sat comfortably atop the League table as they prepared to face Real Madrid in El Clasico. The Catalan outfit enjoyed a four-point gap over their bitter rivals and victory against Los Merengues would have extended the gap to seven.
However, in the space of two weeks and two League defeats, the slight cracks that surfaced within Barcelona’s defence have widened to large crevices. Though Barca’s 3-1 loss to Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu was a setback it was the following defeat to Celta Vigo at home that caused real shockwaves and put the focus solely on Coach Luis Enrique.
It was a game Barcelona shouldn’t have lost and which had been billed as Luis Suarez’s home debut in front of their expectant fans. Barca had the majority of chances, possession and shots on goal. Moreover, they hit the woodwork four times, while frustrated in turn by Celta’s goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez, who was outstanding.
Os Celticos, with whom Luis Enrique grew his reputation by lifting them into ninth place last season, held firm but importantly showed their lethality in attack. Shortly into the second half Joaquin Larrivey expertly finished off Nolito’s clever back-heel to silence the home crowd. Celta managed to hold on to seal a famous victory and consign Barcelona to defeat. It was the first time Barca failed to score a goal at home in over three years.
Barca’s back-to-back defeats meant they dropped from first to fourth in the League – two points behind Real Madrid on 24 while Valencia and Atletico Madrid on 23. Barcelona are tied with Sevilla on 22 but could have dropped to fifth had Los Rojiblancos not lost 1-0 to a rejuvenated Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.
Defensive mistakes, lapses in concentration and missed chances led to these back-to-back defeats and allowed their rivals to capitalize. Madrid propelled themselves to the top of the table by thrashing Granada 4-0 while Barca floundered against Celta.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid rediscovered their title-winning form of last season, much to the relief of Diego Simeone. Their 4-2 victory at home to Cordoba last week made it five League wins in six for Los Colchoneros.
Valencia have continued their stellar form under the ownership of Singapore tycoon Peter Lim, as Los Che attempt to replicate the glory days of old. The continued presence of Paco Alcacer in the Spain squad highlights their improvement under the impressive Coach Nuno Espirito Santo. And, despite Sevilla losing last weekend, they are playing brilliant football under Coach Unai Emery.
Inspiration has been taken from Atletico Madrid’s triumph last season by believing the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona can be broken. Two points separating the top five teams in La Liga confirms it.
However, though Barcelona’s 2-0 win against Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday is a confidence boost, they have to reassert themselves in the League with a win at Almeria on the weekend.
If not then Barca will almost certainly be out of the top four – something that didn’t even enter the mind of most Cules at the start of the season. How things change within a few months.
