'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAIAQEAAAAAny//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAABf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAG//xAAfEAACAgEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAACBAEDEQASE1EGByH/2gAIAQEAAT8AQ8FQTBytkamwniKvfBiQxtyX2C70165SNq46n+GsjmRrhXMBHWeTX//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIA/9oACAECAQE/AC1f/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECMf/aAAgBAwEBPwCZT0//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The International break could not have come at a better time for Ernesto Valverde. The Barcelona manager will be under pressure to turn around his team's performance after their horror show this weekend against Real Betis at Camp Nou. The 3-4 defeat ended the Blaugrana's unbeaten streak of 42 games at the Camp Nou. It also meant that their lead at the top of the table is now cut to just 1 point after Sevilla, Athletico Madrid and Alaves won their respective matches. Real Madrid also won their match to cut the gap to four points.
It was a worrying performance from Valverde's men on Sunday night. After smashing 5 against Real Madrid, Barca escaped with a win last weekend against Rayo Vallecano. The win against their eternal rivals could have brought complacency into the Barca ranks. Or it could simply be a case of tiredness creeping in their performance due to their midweek Champions League match against Inter Milan.
Whatever the reason, Valverde will need to go back to the drawing board to figure out the problem. Here are five things he may need to look into:
#1 Defensive Issues
Real Betis cut through Barca's defense like butter being cut by a knife. Other than the third goal which was caused by an uncharacteristic error from ter Stegen, all the other goals exposed Barcelona's defensive frailty. Junior Firpo and former Barca player Christian Tello ran rampant in the wide areas and constantly put pressure on Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba. Barca was constantly hit on the break and the scoreline could have been even more had Real Betis been more clinical.
Barca's defense has come under question in this season with the Blaugrana leaking goals against smaller teams. The defeat against Real Betis is Barca's second of the season after a defeat against Leganes. Samuel Umtiti absence could be a contributing factor in Barca's defensive issues, but his replacement Clement Lenglet has so far not done much wrong to deserve the axe. But the midweek engagement against Inter Milan could have caused the defense to tire a bit. The international break will be a break for players like Pique and Lenglet. With Samuel Umtiti fit again, Valverde has the option to rest either of the before mentioned players.
But with Athletico Madrid next, it remains to be seen whether Valverde will risk bringing in Umtiti or keep the center back pair of Pique and Lenglet. It also remains to be seen if Valverde picks Nelson Semedo for Sergi Roberto. While the Spaniard is the better player going forward, the Portuguese is the better defender. Valverde may lean towards Semedo for added stability in the backline.
#2 Cover for Coutinho
It cannot be denied that Barcelona missed Coutinho. The Brazilian picked up a knock against Inter midweek and is expected to be absent for the next three weeks. Coutinho was the best player against Inter and was instrumental for Barca during the period where Messi was out injured. While his injury was a blow, the return of the Magician could have staved off any fears Valverde might have had.
Malcolm was given the chance to cement his place in the left side after he opened his account for his Barca career against Inter. Even though he showed glimpses of his potential in the first ten minutes, he faded away as the game went on. He was hauled off before the hour mark as he failed to make his chance count. With Coutinho unlikely to be fit against Athletico Madrid, Valverde will have to decide if he will give Malcolm another run or give the dropped Dembele to prove his worth again. The Barca manager could also pick Rafinha or Denis Suarez for a more creative influence.
#3 Less pressure on Messi
Losing Coutinho to injury was counteracted by the returning Lionel Messi. Even though the Barca captain found the net twice, he seemed unable to control the match like he usually does. Messi did showcase a few blistering runs in the middle of the park to show he is back. But one cannot help think if Valverde rushed the Argentine into the action a bit too soon.
Real Betis could have been the ideal opponent for Messi to warm up before the all-important clash against Athletico. The match was supposed to be one in which Messi was eased into the action. But it quickly became a match were the Blaugrana looked up at their captain to drag them out of trouble. Barca has to win against the Rojiblancos to protect their lead in the summit of the La Liga table. And while the fans will again look at their captain to provide the inspiration, Valverde will have to make sure the rest of the players shoulder some of the pressure.
#4 Lack of balance in the Midfield
Barcelona seemed out of sorts against Betis. The defense left huge gaps which Betis exploited numerous times. The midfield though did not cover for the backline either. The midfield trio of Arthur, Busquets, and Rakitic seemed a bit jaded, and neither of them finished the match. While Arthur and Busquets were substituted, Rakitic was send off for two bookable offenses. That means the Croatian will miss the next match against Athletico and this is another blow for Barca after they already lost Coutinho to injury. Arturo Vidal will likely take his place after he came on to give Barca the much-needed energy in the midfield. The Chilean has found a place in Valverde's good books and is looking like his old self as the weeks go by.
Arthur and Busquets will keep their place in the squad despite being substituted. The Brazilian could not control the game like he usually has done this season, but this match will be a valuable lesson for him to keep improving. Busquets will protect the backline as usual but Valverde will have to start thinking about bringing him a backup. Busquets is still a class player but on days like the one this past weekend, a like to like replacement is missing in the Barca squad. Valverde may need to switch on his TV and watch a few international matches this week to find a suitable option in the future.
#5 The Dembele issue
Ousmane Dembele is turning out to be not the player Barcelona wanted. Barca paid over $100 million for the Frenchman last year but he has yet to show his worth. While his first season was riddled with injuries that sidelined him, this season he is also not a regular feature in the starting eleven. Only this time the cause is not an injury but disciplinary issues off the field. After starting brightly, Dembele has faded into the bench. Arthur's emergence and Coutinho being moved up front meant that Dembele chances were cut short. But the lack of interest to fit back for his place is also striking for a player with his talent.
Dembele angered Valverde when he was late to get ready to replace Messi when the Argentine got injured. The Barca manager rightly dropped Dembele to discipline him but Valverde picked the Frenchman for the midweek fixture against Inter. Dembele failed to impress and his replacement Malcolm scored the goal for Barca.
Dembele was still expected to start the match against Betis, but then reports surfaced that he missed training last week. Some reports suggested he was suffering from stomach flu while others reported he slept through the training session. In the pre-match conference, Valverde did not say that Dembele was suffering from an injury. So Dembele being dropped was another disciplinary action against him.
The winter transfer window is approaching soon and reports have suggested that the Barca hierarchy are ready to sell Dembele and cut their losses. But it would be a huge waste of money and Barcelona will be hoping Dembele becomes more responsible. It will be up to Valverde to make sure the winger is not isolated and to help him bring out the magic that Dembele has shown he has.
