Barcelona’s Champions League marketing campaign has been crammed with attacking promise, however beneath the floor lies a priority that refuses to go away.
Regardless of ending inside the direct qualifying spots for the knockout rounds, the Blaugrana have but to maintain a single clear sheet within the competitors.
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9 matches into their European journey, Barcelona have conceded 15 objectives.
It’s a boon that the crew continues to supply in assault, however their incapability to close video games down defensively stays an unresolved subject.
A have a look at the numbers
Trying on the numbers, Joan Garcia, the first-choice keeper, has not managed to maintain a clear sheet in his six outings.
Equally, Wojciech Szczesny has additionally been unable to stop objectives in all of his outings, together with video games towards Paris Saint-Germain, Olympiacos, and Membership Brugge.
What makes the state of affairs extra puzzling is the distinction with Garcia’s performances exterior the Champions League.
Barcelona are but to maintain a clear sheet within the Champions League. (Photograph by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Pictures)
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Throughout home competitions, the goalkeeper has proven outstanding consistency, registering 14 clear sheets in 34 appearances.
This sharp distinction means that the issue is much less concerning the goalkeeper and extra about how Barcelona are managing defensive transitions in Europe.
The depth, tempo, and high quality of opposition within the Champions League look like exposing gaps which might be in any other case managed in home competitions.
Trying forward
Now, as within the second leg of the spherical of 16, the significance of addressing this subject can’t be overstated.
Given the 1-1 scoreline from the primary leg, protecting a clear sheet would give Garcia a much-needed confidence contemplating his lack of expertise in European competitions..
Extra importantly, it will additionally take off some steam from a comparatively youthful defence.