Barcelona suffered consecutive defeats against PSG and Real Madrid, which raised questions about Hansi Flick’s team’s performances.
However, despite these setbacks, the players remain convinced that their problems can be corrected and that their ambitions for the season remain intact.
According to journalist Jose Alvarez, speaking on El Chiringuito TV (h/t FCB World), the atmosphere within Barcelona’s dressing room has improved considerably following Wednesday’s team barbecue.
The team-bonding event was reportedly organised by the squad’s leaders, with Raphinha and Rodri spearheading the initiative.
Barcelona players acknowledge mistakes behind recent defeatsThe gathering, attended by Flick, his coaching staff and the players, provided an opportunity to discuss football openly and encourage one another after a difficult week.
Rather than attributing the defeats to external circumstances, the players acknowledged that their own mistakes had played a decisive role.
Barcelona captain Raphinha helped organise a barbecue for the squad. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
They identified a lack of intensity, unusually careless passing, poor coverage of space and ineffective pressing as the main reasons behind the disappointing results.
Importantly, the squad also reminded itself that Barcelona remain three points clear at the top of La Liga, despite losing Sunday’s Clasico.
“Without those mistakes, we can win everything, because we have the best possible team,” was the message shared within the dressing room, according to Alvarez.
The bigger picture still looks positiveThe main reason the past week feels so deflating from a Barcelona perspective is how high they were flying before it.
This was not a team under Hansi Flick that was scraping over the line in games. They were scoring goals against opponents for fun.
Supporters took the victories for granted, and the losses against PSG and Real Madrid have brought them back to earth.
Two games should not make everyone forget Barcelona’s start to the season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
No team wins titles by winning every single game they play, and these two losses cannot overshadow Barcelona’s brilliant start to the season.
The important thing to remember is that the Catalans are still in full control of the situation in La Liga and the Champions League.
They face Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid in the next three games, two big clashes that give Flick’s men a chance to respond.
It remains to be seen whether these two defeats are a minor aberration in Barcelona’s season and whether the team can bounce back in style against Alaves this weekend.