Barcelona have had a way of making the tough look easy, and the easy look tough this season.
They’ve proven they can take down giants, while being taken down themselves by the smallest teams in Spain.
That should tell you something. Barcelona has been their own worst enemy, beating themselves instead of forcing their opponents do the hard work on their own.
FC Barcelona v CD Leganes - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
To get back on track, it could help to go back to where they started when Hansi Flick arrived as the new manager in town. They should ask the question, who are we? They need to remember the ideas that are fundamental to their identity on the field.
On Saturday, they’re going to have an opportunity to end the year on a high, and perhaps change the momentum of the season, if they can defeat Atlético Madrid to stay at the top of the table as the calendar turns.
Atlético is a unique opponent. At the moment, they are red hot behind a resurgent Antoine Griezmann. As an aside, this is the time of the year when I say, man wouldn’t it be great to still have that guy in Barcelona colors. You could see him playing quite well in this system behind Robert Lewandowski, and flanked by Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Atletico de Madrid v SK Slovan Bratislava - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
I digress, let the past be the past.
The last game of the calendar year will be an exciting showdown, with two contenders jockeying for an advantage in the race for the Spanish title.
Barcelona would do well to take a pragmatic approach, given the downturn in form, and once again, the fact that they will be without their best player in Lamine Yamal.
That starts with a change in their defensive structure. The high line has become more risky, and less beneficial as the months have gone on. I wouldn’t mind seeing Barcelona force Atlético to play with the ball. Their midfield play is not their strength, and there could be advantages for a player like Raphinha to exploit in transition, especially with the quality that the Barca midfielders and defenders have to play line breaking passes.
RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Above all else, Barcelona needs to be tidy, focused, and ready to manage the game from the get-go. The game isn’t won in the opening stage, but it could be lost there.
This tired team doesn’t look capable of pressing their way to victory at the moment.
But they continue to be dangerous with the direct and aggressive attacking instincts when the ball is won. Based on what we’ve seen lately, however, I think one change may be beneficial.
With Lamine Yamal out, start Fermín López in the ten, play Ferran Torres on the wing, opposite of Raphinha, and drop Dani Olmo.
FC Barcelona v CD Leganes - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Barcelona needs Fermín to heat up. We know what he’s capable of once he finds a groove, but so far under Flick, his minutes have been inconsistent, and his role hasn’t been clearly defined.
As a natural midfielder, when playing through the middle, which this Barcelona prefers to do, he may provide better link up play with Lewandowski than what we’ve seen from Olmo lately. Like Olmo, Fermín also has an eye for goal and can provide a threat as a second striker.
Ferran Torres is the hot hand at the moment. He needs to prove himself now. Out on the wing, whether it’s the right or left, he can allow for the fullbacks to provide width, and he can drift centrally to overpower the Atlético backline, which these days happens to include none other than Clément Lenglet.
Borussia Dortmund v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 Photo by Sebastian Widmann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
After the game this weekend, everyone needs to get some rest.
That includes the manager.
More significant tactical changes may be required in the future, based on the players he has available. This season is a marathon, and there’s a lot to play for.
The best lesson to learn now is to stay calm.
The Flick honeymoon may be over, but there is still plenty to love about this team.
Never too high, never too low. Get back to the business of the game, and show some belief in what you’ve been developing as a collective unit. A win against Atlético Madrid will put the wind at Barcelona’s back at just the right time.