On Sunday evening, I sat down in front of the television hoping for a satisfying end to the week – only to watch chaos unfold within minutes. A penalty shout in the third minute had me bracing for yet another “penalti a favor de Real Madrid”. I guess even the referees are running out of patience with that script.
Things escalated quickly – and, unfortunately, mostly in Madrid’s favor. Barça looked second best once again, just like in our previous big test of the season. The gulf in confidence and sharpness
was clear. With that in mind, here are five predictions for what this El Clásico might tell us about the months ahead.
1. Strikerless Barça’s scoring struggles
Ten games in, and we don’t have a single forward among La Liga’s top five goalscorers. We’ve got wingers playing as makeshift strikers – and while last season’s front three masked the absence of a true number nine with goals galore, this year reality has caught up.
Whether it’s fatigue, form, or plain bad luck, we look blunt in front of the goal. No killer instinct, no clinical edge – and it shows in every match that really matters (and sometimes even the ones that don’t… hello, Rayo Vallecano)
In stark contrast, Madrid have a certain Kylian Mbappe who has now scored 11 goals in 10 La Liga games this season for Los Blancos.
2. Fatigue and more injuries
A thin squad plus a packed schedule – that’s a recipe for long-term fatigue and more injuries. Hansi Flick’s high-pressing philosophy demands energy, intensity, and rotation. But with such limited depth, we’re stuck in a vicious cycle: tired players, more injuries, fewer rotation options. The international break only made things worse. Eventually, the press collapses, and the entire system begins to creak.
3. Losing La Liga?
Madrid are already five points clear, and with the way we’re playing, that gap could easily widen. Remember how Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen went 28 matches unbeaten to win the Bundesliga? That’s the kind of coach we’re up against. If this trajectory continues, catching Madrid might become wishful thinking. Right now, it feels like Xabiball is definitely better and sharper than Xaviball.
4. The No. 10 jersey a burden?
At the end of last season, Lamine Yamal was handed the iconic No. 10 jersey – and for good reason. But wearing that number comes with an enormous weight. Only one man truly mastered it for over a decade, and we all know who that was.
It’s been 178 days since that fiery Champions League night against Inter when Lamine had the world at his feet. Since then, the spark has dimmed. Nuno Mendes is still haunting his memories, injuries have hit hard and talk of burnout keeps on being whispered about. Let’s hope the second half of the season brings back the old Lamine we know.
5. Silver lining: A rejuvenated Barça in La Segunda Vuelta
But hey guys, all hope isn’t lost because we still have Hansi Flick as our coach. And a winter reset could change everything. This is essentially the same squad that lit up last season; right now, it’s just a dip in form and fitness. A solid center-back signing – and maybe even a proper right-back could make all the difference.
If Flick can pull off a tactical surprise or two – something bold, like how Luis Enrique transformed the young PSG team mid-season – we could still turn this season around.
Most importantly, we need one key player to step up, to carry the team when it matters most. That’s how titles are won.
Anyways, whatever happens, Sempre Barça.
