Away games are more than just struggles now
It's quite easy to make money when betting on Barca's away games these days. The problem that emerged long ago under Ernesto Valverde is hanging like a cloud over Quique Setien's team as well.
Here are some crazy stats for you.
- Barca register a negative goal difference in La Liga's away fixtures this season (18 scored, 19 conceded).
- The Catalans have scored 18 goals away from home compared to 44 at Camp Nou.
- We've conceded as many away goals (19) as bottom-placed Leganes.
Barcelona concede 3.54 shots per 90 minutes in away games which is much worse compared to several La Liga rivals: Real Madrid 2.46, Sevilla 2.92, Atletico and Getafe 3.31 each (h/t Footcharts).
Barca's attacking potential is undeniable, though: their 4.69 shots per single away game rank them second after Real Madrid (5.62).
Solution: It's difficult to find one as the issue lies both in tactical and psychological matters. For sure, we are error-prone in defence but it's still staggering that we play like lions at home and turn into powerless kittens in away games.
Striker crisis continues
Quique Setien used both Antoine Griezmann and Leo Messi as centre-forwards against Real Madrid. At first, it seemed that his choice was wise: both had enough clear-cut chances to open the scoring. After the break, however, there were tired legs upfront but Setien didn't hurry to call Braithwaite for help.
Barca's finishing is really poor in big games. Bottled chances in the Anfield clash cost us the Champions League final and now it happens all over again. We are still in need of someone who will be at the right place at the right time otherwise it would be tough to finish the season in style.
Solution: finally playing Braithwaite in starting XI, trying different formations with more attacking-minded players like him or Ansu Fati.
Griezmann still not at his best
After an impressive second half against Napoli in the Champions League, the Frenchman was expected to deliver in his first Clasico with Blaugrana.
However, the Madrid clash turned out to be one of his worst outings since August. The forward made fewer touches than Marc-Andre ter Stegen (this had happened at least once before) and missed a clear goalscoring chance as the ball went nowhere near the goal after his shot from outside the box.
Griezmann's heatmap vs Madrid at least reveals he was active tracking back:
Solution: testing new formations in which Griezmann could easily combine his defensive role with an offensive one.
Not 'Cruyffistas' yet
Barca lose their tactical identity when it comes to facing top oppositions. The Catalans couldn't control the game for long: Madrid's pressing forced the players to make mistakes while such players as Griezmann, Arthur and De Jong needed to drop deeper to help the teammates get out of their own half.
According to WhoScored, Setien's side lost possession 29 times (compared to Madrid's 24) as they also touched the ball a lot less: 826 against 696.
Solution: giving more chances to creative players like Riqui Puig and Arthur, testing new ways of moving the ball around like the one used in the Getafe game.
