How much blame can be placed on the manager as uncertainty arise within the club about his role?. In a post match press conference after the loss at San Mames, the Barcelona manager said “If at the end of the season we are not at a competitive level… I will have to leave, I know where I am, it’s a top club. Here at Barça you need to win titles or you will be at risk” the speech of a manager who appears to have doubts over his ability to improve the performance of his team. 

1. THE DECLINE OF ITS TALISMAN 

    The decline of Robert Lewandowski has been a massive issue for Barcelona in terms of scoring goals. For a club ranked in the top 5 for XGs across Europe, the polish striker has failed to deliver the goods. A run of bad form that has lasted for over a year has seen Barcelona struggle in front of goal. The 35 years old striker has shown no sign of his former self as a lack of mobility and fall in quality of his finishing has defined a year of bad performance by the Barcelona striker. 

However the 35 years old striker continues to be favored by Xavi as he is seen as a big personality within the dressing room which has led to a series of underserved game-time throughout the course of the season which can only mean doom for FC Barcelona.

2. CHAOS AT THE BACK 

    A formidable defense that conceded only 20 league goals in the entirety of last season have failed to replicate such performances. The famous BACK ( Balde, Araujo, Christensen, Kounde) seems to lack the understanding which made them impeccable the previous season. While the arrival of Joao Cancelo haven’t proven to be much help at the back either. It’s clearly obvious that FC Barcelona has underestimated the loss of a protector to the back line in Sergio Busquets. The Barcelona legend not only served as a leader on the pitch but his ability to help shield the defense and control the game from the midfield alongside the likes of Frenkie De jong and Pedri has been a feature which the current Barcelona has lacked right through the course of the season.

3. LACK OF FUNDS 

    FC Barcelona financial crisis has been a well known tale across Europe but it’s impact on the on pitch performances has been understated. Inability to compete for the best talent across Europe has meant Xavi has had to deal with what he has got. The back end of last season witnessed the departure of two club legends in Sergio Busquets and Jordi alba, players in the team which the club has failed to replaced in terms of quality as a result of lack of funds, which has led to a regress in the quality of the squad. Unable to bring in a suitable replacement or improve on the current squad as a result of the club’s financial crisis, has brought about the idea of  deploying players out of position in search of a solution, a solution which is far-fetched based on the displays on the pitch.

4. DEPENDENCE ON KIDS

     La Masia has proven to be the biggest asset of FC Barcelona. However the dependence on kids throughout the course of the season is a reason to be alarmed. Young talents such as Lamine Yamal(16), Marc Guiu (18), Hector Forte(17), Pau Curbasi (17) and Fermin Lopez (20) coming through the academy have had to take on the pressure as a result of the bad displays by the Veterans. Taking on expectations well above their age in the aim of dragging the club to glory. A theme that has seen harm done to the likes of Pedri, Ansu Fati, Gavi and the most recent Alej Balde. FC Barcelona has developed an habit of depending on its youngsters to deliver ever since the departure of Lionel Messi. The dependence on the youth for the success of the club is an habit that needs to be abolished to protect these youngsters and the future of the club. However it is expected that more players from the youth setup would make the leap to the senior team as the season progress due to the clubs inability to reinforce by spending in the window.

    Knocked out of the Copa Del Rey by Athletic club and disgraced by their greatest rival Real Madrid in the SuperCopa final, FC Barcelona is far from where it needs to be as a football club and while the manager can take upon himself the bad displays of the team, immense work needs to be carried out to improve the current playing squad.