Barcelona settled for a 1-1 draw against their rivals, Getafe, in a Spanish League encounter. This result elevated Barcelona’s points tally to 39, securing them the third spot in the league standings, while Getafe remained in 16th place with 20 points. The Catalan team is set to face Valencia at Los Cónpanys Stadium on January 26, while Getafe will meet Sociedad on the same day.
Barcelona’s current form in La Liga has been disappointing, with only one win in their last eight matches, a performance that significantly hinders their chances of competing for the league title.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, was visibly frustrated after the draw against Getafe. The German coach directed his anger at players Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, blaming them for squandering critical opportunities that could have secured a victory.
Flick reportedly warned both players that continued underperformance could lead to their exclusion from the starting lineup, emphasizing that such lackluster displays would jeopardize the team’s ability to secure a Champions League spot.
Flick’s dissatisfaction extended to left-back Alejandro Balde, whose poor performances this season have been a concern. The coach has decided to exclude Balde from upcoming matches and is pressuring Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, to sign a new left-back before the winter transfer window closes in an attempt to salvage the season.
Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta also expressed his frustration with the team’s poor results, particularly their failure to secure wins in seven of their last eight league matches. After the Getafe match, Laporta reportedly confronted both the players and Flick in the locker room, criticizing their lackluster performances.
He specifically questioned Flick’s decision to continue relying on veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, citing his advanced age and repeated failure to convert straightforward chances as a growing liability for the team.
Laporta’s dissatisfaction wasn’t limited to Lewandowski. He also criticized Raphinha, describing the Brazilian winger’s performance as reminiscent of his inconsistent displays in previous seasons. Laporta reportedly told Deco that Raphinha’s performance was unacceptable, calling it a “disgusting level” that mirrored the player’s past struggles.
This series of setbacks highlights growing tensions within the Barcelona camp. Both the coaching staff and management are under pressure to turn the season around, with upcoming matches and potential winter signings expected to play a pivotal role in determining the team’s trajectory.
The draw against Getafe has exposed cracks within the squad, and significant changes might be on the horizon as Barcelona aims to regain its competitive edge in La Liga.
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