Despite sitting first and third respectively in La Liga, Barcelona and Real Madrid have faced huge challenges in recent weeks, with their results and performances falling well below the usual high standards typically expected of Spain’s juggernaut teams.
Both sides have already dropped points in six matches after just 18 games played for Barcelona and 17 for Real Madrid, while they have both failed to put together consistent runs of victories in the past months.
These results have raised questions from both sets of supporters and throughout the wider footballing community: what is going wrong for Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga?
Adapting to New Systems
Barcelona and Real Madrid are experiencing clear struggles in adapting to the new systems deployed by their respective managers, leading to the two teams sometimes failing to record the results expected of them.
Barcelona have undergone a complete transition under Hansi Flick, who has clearly made his side a much more attacking outfit with them already netting an immense 50 goals in 18 league matches, at a rate of 2.78 goals per game compared to an average of around 1.9 goals per game across the last three La Liga campaigns. While they are undeniably a superb force in attack, a change in system will inevitably bring teething problems for any side, and that seems to be the case in recent matches.
As for Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti has changed his system once again this term, Los Blancos’s third different tactical approach in as many years.
After playing with a recognised striker, Karim Benzema, in the 2022/23 season, they shifted to a split-striker system with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, supported by Jude Bellingham just behind, last campaign, and now, they have reverted to a system with a more traditional striker following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.
However, Ancelotti is seemingly yet to find the best tactical approach to suit all of his star players, with the forward line a particular issue throughout the campaign. Mbappe, Vini Jr and Rodrygo are all more natural from the left wing, meaning all three often bunch up on that side and get in each other’s way while also providing no threat from anywhere else on the pitch. This has meant Real Madrid can quite often be easy to defend against, while the lack of work ethic from players such as Mbappe and Vini Jr, in particular, has meant attacking Real Madrid can also be rather fruitful.
Defensive Fragility
This change in system for both teams has meant there has been an increased defensive fragility at times this campaign.
This can be highlighted with both team’s respective defensive records in La Liga, with Barcelona conceding at near the same rate which saw Xavi sacked at the end of the last campaign as they concede at a rate of 1.1 goals per 90, a far cry from the defensive solidity that saw them concede at a rate of 0.8 goals per 90 between 2020/21 and 2022/23.
Similarly for Real Madrid, they are conceding at a rate of 0.94 this campaign compared to 0.68 goals per 90 in 2023/24, marking a downfall in defensive stability for Ancelotti’s side, something that has been increasingly apparent in recent weeks.
Poor Results Disrupting Consistent Runs
The biggest thing that has been going wrong for both sides has been their failure to put together consistent winning runs, especially in recent weeks, something expected of both teams.
Barcelona have won just one of their last six La Liga fixtures, alongside three losses and two draws, a torrid run as they head into an extremely difficult meeting with Atletico Madrid, who have won all of their last 11 across all competitions.
Real Madrid have lost one, won one and drawn one of their last three, including a particularly disappointing 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano last time out where the opposition were unlucky to not secure all three points after a terrible performance from Los Blancos.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Barcelona and Real Madrid are facing significant challenges this season, specifically in La Liga, with their fragile defences, changes in tactical approach and failure to put together consistent winning runs being three of the largest factors behind their struggles.
However, both have shown glimpses of their huge potential at times throughout this campaign, and as the season progresses it will be crucial for both to find their rhythm and return to their best if they are to maintain their dominance in Spain and Europe.
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