Barcelona's Point Dropping Spells Trouble in La Liga

Starting Strong but Faltering Later

At the beginning of the season, Barcelona seemed unstoppable, like a steam train on a track. However, as the games progressed, they hit a rough patch. They have dropped points in multiple matches, which is a far cry from their early-season form. This has led to questions about their ability to maintain their momentum and stay at the top.

The fact that they have dropped 10 points in just four games is particularly concerning. Four of those points were dropped from winning positions, which shows that they are not converting their dominance into wins. This is a worrying trend that needs to be addressed.

Substitutions and Team Strategy

Against Real Betis, there were clear indications that some players were being saved for the Champions League encounter. This led to earlier than usual substitutions, which may have affected the team's performance in the second half. It is also true that Barça went ahead when a number of starters had already been subbed off, and the second goal was scored by a substitute in Ferran Torres.

While it is within their power to win games when seemingly not at full strength, the routine slacking off towards the end of matches is unforgivable. They need to learn how to control and handle the final moments of a game, rather than taking their eye off the ball.

Substitutions and Team Cohesion

There is an argument that the substitutions at Betis did not make a lot of sense. However, the bigger issue is that they cannot even get the basics right. This lack of cohesion and consistency is costing them valuable points and putting them at a disadvantage.

Once again, Real Madrid is benefiting from Barcelona's struggles. If they win their two games in hand, they will leapfrog their eternal rivals. This puts even more pressure on Barcelona to perform and start winning again.

Comparing with Last Season

If we look at the team's performance now compared to the same stage last season under Xavi, there is not a significant improvement. This shows that they need to make some serious changes and improvements if they want to compete at the highest level.

Barcelona cannot afford to keep dropping points and slipping up in crucial games. They need to find a way to regain their form and start winning consistently. Otherwise, they will continue to face challenges and fall behind their rivals.