“Barcelona’s Draw with Valencia Extends Recent Slump, Adding Pressure on Coach Xavi in a Troublesome Week. Fans Anticipated a Turnaround After Disappointing Defeats to Girona and Antwerp, but Hopes Dashed as Barca Faces More Misery at Mestalla. Despite Ample Opportunities, Lackluster Attack Forces Settling for a Point Following Hugo Guillamon’s Stellar Equalizer.”
“Breaking: Barcelona’s Struggles Continue with Valencia Draw, Intensifying Pressure on Coach Xavi Amid a Turbulent Week. Fans Eagerly Awaited a Comeback Post Girona and Antwerp Losses, but Barca’s Hopes Shattered with More Woes at Mestalla. Despite Numerous Chances, Ineffective Attack Forces Barca to Settle for a Point, Thanks to Hugo Guillamon’s Spectacular Equalizer.”
Barcelona are utterly toothless
One of the big reasons for Barcelona’s slump in form is their inability to score goals. The Catalans have made missing chances something of an artform in recent weeks and lead the way in Europe when it comes to being utterly hopeless in front of goal.
The stats showed Barca had 16 shots in the 90 minutes and finished up with an xG of 3.06 (compared to Valencia’s 0.48). Xavi knew it too and was pretty critical about his team’s finishing after the game at Mestalla.
“We deserved to win, we did everything. What happened over the past weeks with regard to effectiveness was repeated,” he said. “This match pretty much summarises the season for us. We train finishing but it depends on the players’ confidence.
“We have to be one of the teams with the worst finishing in Europe. I am very frustrated today.”
Barca’s profligacy in front of goal did make you wonder why Xavi didn’t turn to Marc Guiu on Sunday night. The teenager has scored late goals against Athletic and Antwerp but didn’t get any minutes against Valencia.
No excuses next time for Barca
The only good news for Barcelona is that their next fixture on Wednesday is against bottom side Almeria at Montjuic. Gaizka Garitano’s side are the only winless team left in La Liga (and indeed Europe’s top five leagues) this season.
Wednesday’s opponents have lost 12 of 16 league matches and also have the worst defensive record in the Spanish top flight after shipping 39 goals so far.
On paper it looks the perfect opportunity for Barcelona to get back on track in their final La Liga fixture of the year. There will be no excuses at all for Xavi and his players if they can’t pick up all three points next time out.
Users Today : 4
Users Yesterday : 8