Barcelona wrapped up October with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, widening the gap between the two rivals to six points in La Liga.
Hansi Flick’s men seemed unstoppable, sitting firmly at the top of the table after 11 matches, with ten wins and just one defeat.
The solitary loss came against Osasuna, a game in which Flick’s heavy rotations disrupted the team’s flow. At the time, this setback was dismissed as a minor blip in what was otherwise a brilliant start to the season.
Time is the best teacher
However, as time has passed, the initial euphoria surrounding Flick’s project has started to wear off. November has brought a harsh reality check for Barcelona, exposing flaws that were perhaps overlooked during their dominant early run.
The month began on a promising note with a derby win against Espanyol and a resounding victory over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League. Yet, things quickly unravelled as the team faltered in La Liga.
Barcelona are without a in their last three La Liga matches. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
A series of disappointing results has erased the commanding lead Barcelona once enjoyed. Defeats to Real Sociedad and Las Palmas, coupled with a draw against Celta Vigo, mean the team has managed just one point from their last three league outings.
These setbacks can no longer be dismissed as isolated incidents. Instead, they highlight deeper issues that have disrupted the momentum seen in the opening months of the campaign.
Montjuic is no longer a fortress
The Estadi Olimpic, once a fortress, was breached by Las Palmas, who became the first team this season to leave without losing. This shock result has left Flick with urgent questions to address.
What has caused this sudden dip in form? How can Barcelona regain their dominance? These are the challenges the coach must confront as the calendar grows increasingly demanding.
November’s struggles should serve as a wake-up call. Barcelona must take a hard look at themselves, identify the root causes of their poor performances, and work collectively to reverse this slump.
There is no room for further setbacks, as the Blaugrana cannot afford to lose ground in their pursuit of silverware. It is a critical moment to reflect, reset, and push forward as one united team.