Barcelona assistant coach Marcus Sorg has issued a number of warnings to the squad in the wake of Sunday night's shock La Liga defeat to Leganes.
The Catalans have won just one of their last five domestic fixtures, dropping points against Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas, Real Betis and now Leganes over the past few weeks.
Barcelona are still top of La Liga, but only by goal difference ahead of Atletico Madrid, who they face on Saturday and are the league’s in-form team after six successive wins. Hansi Flick's team have also played a game more than both Atletico and defending champions Real Madrid.
Sorg, who is in temporary charge on matchdays while Flick serves a two-game ban, bemoaned a lack of concentration, inability to score, and the need to get used to three-game weeks.
Jules Kounde
Jules Kounde captured the disconsolate mood hanging over Barcelona in recent weeks / Alex Caparros/GettyImages
"We are having difficulties in the league and [against Leganes] in the first few minutes we did not have the necessary concentration," Sorg told reporters.
"Then we created about 20 chances, but we were unable to score. We have to learn from this and the players have to get used to playing every three days.
"We are not happy with the current trend, but you have to accept things when you try to build a team. We are working hard. We are at the top and we may lose the lead, but we are still there.
"We have to make a calm analysis. We have to believe in the players and keep working. The team can improve its performance. We have to give everything on the pitch."
Barcelona's search for improved form will not be helped by Lamine Yamal's impending absence. The talismanic teenager could be sidelined for up to a month with an ankle injury.
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