Cadiz 2-1 Barcelona: 5 talking points as Blaugrana lose for the fourth time in 10 games | La Liga 2020/21

#3 What's happened to Lionel Messi's free-kick prowess?

Messi hasn't scored from a free-kick even after 10 games in La Liga

Lionel Messi is often touted as the free-kick king, at least amongst all the active players, for his imperious record from the dead ball. Last season, the Barcelona number 10 struck five in the league and surpassed the 50-goal mark in his career from the free-kicks alone, a truly remarkable record.

However, this season, he's yet to open his account from set-pieces. In tonight's match alone, the Barcelona skipper got three opportunities to erase the anomaly, but each time, he failed to find the target. The first one, in particular, was saved right on the line by Cadiz custodian Jeremias Ledesma.

Lionel Messi for Barcelona vs. Cadiz:◉ Most shots (10) ◉ Most take-ons completed (9) ◉ Most shots on target (5)◉ Most fouls won (3)Can he do any more? pic.twitter.com/6vNwGGE18z

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 5, 2020

Given his struggles from open play this season - Messi has scored only once from open play so far - he's often looked to get on the scoresheet from the dead ball. And while his record from the 12 yards has been impeccable so far, his free-kick prowess is yet to be seen this season.

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#4 Ronald Koeman gets it all wrong

Ronald Koeman's tactical adjustments didn't work out

Cameras panned regularly over Ronald Koeman as the Barcelona manager cut a desolate figure on the sidelines watching his side crumble once again. His expressions showed he's helpless, whereas the fact is, the Dutchman made some tactical mistakes which contributed to Barcelona's misery.

The midfield pivot of Frenkie De Jong and Sergio Busquets just didn't work, as the two had no communication amongst themselves whatsoever, and left many gaps for Cadiz to exploit on the break. Busquets, in particular, was poor and seemed like a player whose best is well behind him. Perhaps, Koeman should just stick with Miralem Pjanic instead of him?

Also, De Jong had to push into the centre-back role after Minguez was taken off. Why not just bring on someone more natural in that position like Ronald Araujo, who was on the bench? Then, he took off one of the best players on the pitch in Sergino Dest for Francisco Trincao, robbing Barcelona off the agility and guile he brought from the right flank.

Koeman threw everything he had against the wall to see if anything sticks, but none did. Maybe, its time for him to go back to the drawing board and work out the team's best formation and best options?

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#5 Barcelona's poor record on the road continues

This is Barca's worst start to a season since 1987/88!

For the first time since the 2007/08 season under Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona have failed to win any of their last four games on the road, losing thrice. This has kept the side from truly getting their season of the mark and now find themselves seventh in the table with just 14 points from 10 games.

After 10 league games, Barcelona are just three points above the relegation zone. Let that sink in. pic.twitter.com/dHB5KdfLWy

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 5, 2020

Each of their defeats too, has come against teams they don't normally lose to - the loss to Getafe was their first since 2011, Atletico Madrid beat them for the first time since 2010, and now Cadiz, who won against them in La Liga after 29 years!

With such a disappointing start to the campaign, Barcelona still look like they're a long way off from reclaiming the Spanish title from arch-rivals Real Madrid. The side is clearly still plagued by numerous issues, and now, poor form away from home has propped up some new ones.