Hansi Flick faces pressure after FC Barcelona stumble in Vigo

A 2-2 draw in La Liga at Celta Vigo on Saturday followed by a disappointing performance against Real Sociedad, where the team failed to register a single shot on target, have halted what had been an impressive run of form.

Despite the setbacks, there have been no attempts to shift blame. The team was open about its shortcomings after the Celta draw. Coach Hansi Flick admitted that it was a poor performance, while Gavi pointed to lapses in concentration at crucial moments.

Jules Kounde was particularly self-critical, describing his mistake leading to Celta's first goal as "a gross error". Flick did not hold back in his post-match analysis, being equally direct with his players in the dressing room.

Barcelona now face a crucial moment for reflection. The absence of Lamine Yamal has been notably felt, with the team failing to win a match when the young star isn't in the starting XI. Yamal's spark has been missed, as the team has struggled to create danger and sustain attacking momentum without him.

While Raphinha has been in great form, his individual efforts have not been enough to carry the side. In Vigo, he was the standout player, scoring a goal and hitting the post, but Barcelona lacked overall cohesion and didn't generate enough chances, aside from Robert Lewandowski's scrappy second goal.

Another troubling trend for Barcelona have been their disciplinary issues. In their loss to Monaco earlier in the season, Eric Garcia was sent off, leaving the team with 10 men for most of the match. On Saturday, Marc Casado suffered the same fate, picking up a second yellow card for a foul in midfield. Given Casado's temperament, Flick could have made an earlier substitution to avoid the dismissal but failed to act. This is not the first time Flick has been slow with his in-game adjustments.

Individual errors continue to hamper Barcelona's results. Kounde's costly mistake against Celta was not an isolated incident. Against Sociedad, a series of errors from goalkeeper Inaki Pena, Casado, and a defensive mix-up between Kounde and Cubarsi led to another goal conceded. These defensive lapses are a growing concern for Flick's side.

With Real Madrid gaining momentum, especially after their convincing 3-0 win over Leganes, Barcelona's status as Spain's dominant force is now under scrutiny. The pressure is mounting on Flick and his players to find solutions quickly.

The upcoming home games against Brest and Las Palmas offer a chance to regain the winning form, but both coach and players must step up and perform to avoid further disappointment.

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