The game doesn’t lie. The better teams usually prevail, and that was certainly the case for Barcelona in London.
They were second best to Chelsea in every way.
Now is a time to be brutally honest, because
if Hansi Flick and his players keep going down this road, they will be out of the Champions League before they know it, which would be a shame given that many people expected them to be contenders to make it to the final.
They are simply not world class like they were a year ago, and they haven’t been since the start of the season. They can continue to blame injuries, but that excuse became stale weeks ago. Having Pedri could have made the difference in this game, for example, but not with the lack of effort and physicality that we saw on display.
Chelsea, on the other hand, showed why they are Club World Cup champions, and why they are team to take seriously in England and Europe. They are an attacking team, but they also do the grunt work. They were first to every first and second ball against Barcelona.
Football is an unforgiving sport. If Ferran Torres had put away a wide open chance in the opening stage, we could all be singing a different tune. If we’re being honest, however, Chelsea were more locked in and ready to make a game of it from the get-go.
As for Hansi Flick, it continues to be the case that he is a coach with one game plan, regardless of the circumstances. There is no adaption when critical players are out, and there is no contingency plan when his team is playing down a man. When plan A isn’t working, Barcelona simply look lost.
It’s a pattern, so it’s not unfair to ask the manager to shoulder the responsibility here.
The players also need to raise their hands though.
When Raphinha came on, his body language was that of a player who couldn’t believe the lack of effort being displayed by his teammates. We may not be playing well, he was saying, but we can at least show that we care. Do your job and press. Win a tackle. Anything that shows some fight that could turn the momentum around.
It’s a good thing Raphinha is back. If anyone’s presence can wake up Barcelona from the doldrums, it’s not Pedri as many would say, but the Brazilian.
Why didn’t he or Marcus Rashford start the game? Was it caution because they weren’t fit enough, or did Flick really think that Ferran gave his team the greatest advantage?
I’m starting to think that January will be an important time for Joan Laporta and Deco. The Champions League is where you learn about yourself, and Barcelona can’t lie with what they’re seeing in the mirror. Some help may be needed to change the dynamic.
It would be crazy to continue like this and expect different outcomes.
Whether it’s the coach and his tactics or the players and their performances, something needs to change.
Barcelona, at the moment, simply aren’t good enough.
