Barcelona fall back into bad habits

Published on: 23 January 2021

The year of 2021 started promisingly for Barcelona. The Catalan side kicked off the new year with three consecutive LaLiga Santander victories against Huesca, Athletic Club and Granada. However, in just nine days, much of that good work seems to have come undone.

Ronald Koeman's side went in to the Supercopa de Espana and the Copa del Rey in sparkling form, but have shown once again just how volatile their form can be. They lost out on silverware against Athletic Club and ran it close when they were taken to extra time by Segunda B side Cornella in the Copa.

The first three matches of 2021 seemed like they were going to be the turning point for the side, but poor performances in their last three games have sent them back to square one.

Barcelona simply aren't the solid and reliable side they were a few years ago and recent performances have worried fans. They now return to league duty where there is no room for any more slip-ups as they sit 10 points adrift of league leaders Atletico Madrid.

Koeman was furious following the match against Cornella and made his feelings clear when he spoke after the game. He openly criticised his side for missing so many chances, including two penalties which meant they had to play their third extra time period in nine days.

Penalty woes

They lack a cutting edge without Lionel Messi on the field and there is no clearly assigned penalty taker in the Argentine's absence. Antoine Griezmann, Martin Braithwaite, Miralem Pjanic and Ousmane Dembele have all taken the responsibility recently, but haven't been very successful.

Barcelona have scored all their penalties in the Champions League this term, but of their five penalties in LaLiga they have scored just two - both scored by Messi.

Against Cornella, both Pjanic and Demebele missed from the spot, infuriating Koeman.

It remains to be seen who will take the responsibility this weekend if the Blaugrana are awarded a penalty against Elche, with Messi suspended following his red card against Athletic Club.

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

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