After entering February, Barca have completed two La Liga matches, first with a 4-2 win over Atletico and then a 2-2 draw by espanyol. Such a result will obviously surprise fans, because in terms of the strength of the squad, Atletico are strong, and espanyol are weak teams with the risk of relegation. However, judging from the lineup and the course of the game in the two games, it is not surprising that such results have been revealed, and at the same time, the two major problems that have plagued the team for many years have been unveiled.
The first is the centre-back position, against Atletico, Pique to partner Araujo, although in the end also produced two goals conceded, but the two starting centre-backs do not need to bear much responsibility, while Araujo also contributed a goal on the offensive end. Against Espanyol, although it was also Playque partnered Araujo, the latter, who was fouled by his opponent, was replaced by Eric Garcia in the 46th minute due to injury. As a result, Garcia, who came off the bench, made a big mistake in the 62nd minute, facing the opponent's accurate long pass, Garcia not only failed to create an offside position, but also turned around when the ball was about to be hoisted into the box, which directly allowed the opposing striker Thomas to get a one-knife opportunity and easily break the goal. Such a low-level mistake directly made Barca, who was originally highly moraley, pressing the Spaniard to kick, turning his head downward and losing control.
So Garcia's poor performance has once again revealed the stubbornness of Barca's central defender position, which has not been secure since pujols retired in 2014. Either Pique is in poor shape, or Margot Is targeted for a hard injury, and then there are Umtiti, Lenglet, Mingeza, etc., always have their own problems, and it is difficult to really shoulder the heavy responsibility of the central defender. And due to suspensions and injuries, Barca may even have to send Garcia and Mingisa in the next game, and such a combination will undoubtedly make red and blue fans afraid. Therefore, if the summer window cannot sign the top center-back, then Barca will most likely continue to sink. The second problem unveiled in these two games was the right-back position.
Against Atletico, Alves, who turned 39 in three months, delivered an extremely good performance, completely reviving the right side of the attack before being sent off with a red card. Against Durst, who won the start against Espanyol, there were few bright spots in the whole game, and the game was muddy. So sign back veteran Alves, although the right-back position is temporarily available, but in the long run, the succession problem of this position is far from being solved. What is even more disappointing is that both Garcia and Durst have been extremely optimistic, high hopes, and have also performed brilliantly, but now both are playing the injury trajectory, if they can't adjust in time, then their Camp Nou future is undoubtedly bleak.