This isn’t how Barcelona envisaged the season would finish for them. The Blaugrana might have made a poor begin to the marketing campaign however they recovered halfway via.
When Xavi changed Ronald Koeman as supervisor 5 months in the past, there was renewed hope because the Blaugrana appeared to finish the season with at the very least one main trophy.
Nonetheless, all that hope has withered in latest weeks. Having exited all of the cup competitions, the Europa League represented Barcelona’s most real looking likelihood of ending the season with silverware.
Eintracht Frankfurt would foil that too after beating Xavi’s facet at residence. Ending within the prime 4 is all that’s left for Barcelona to problem for now, which is why their defeat to Rayo Vallecano was very disappointing.
Rayo stun Barcelona
It’s virtually sure that Actual Madrid will win La Liga after opening a 15-point hole between themselves and the Catalan giants within the Spanish topflight.
However ending as runners-up is firmly inside the attain of the Blaugrana. That mentioned, they haven’t finished sufficient, particularly in latest weeks, to counsel they should retain that place.
Xavi’s facet have now misplaced three of their final 4 matches in all competitions, however the defeat to Rayo was maybe essentially the most upsetting.
The Blaugrana have been sloppy and, after conceding within the seventh minute, did little or no to get again into the sport. They have been merely not hungry sufficient and didn’t show the type of character wanted to overturn the end result.
Regardless of having fun with little or no possession, Rayo have been resolute in defence and Barcelona performed proper into their arms after yet one more abject displaying in entrance of aim.
Barcelona LOSE three straight residence matches in the identical season for the FIRST TIME EVER 🤯 https://t.co/5R1YQszE5m
A worrying residence kind
Barcelona have now misplaced every of their final three residence matches and their kind at Camp Nou wants to enhance if they’re to complete the season strongly.
There have now been three disappointing performances at residence towards Frankfurt, Cadiz and Rayo, and until that is addressed, the Blaugrana’s possibilities of qualifying for the Champions League aren’t sure.
“We have been all fired up with the good run within the league and the Europa League. I perceive it’s not as motivating for the followers and gamers to battle for second place,” Xavi admitted, as quoted by the Guardian.
“However now we have to be within the Champions League, we wish to hear the Champions League music subsequent season. There’s a lot at stake. In Barcelona’s historical past it’s about coming first, however now we have to grasp and inspire ourselves to complete second.”
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The Catalan giants are at present degree on factors with Sevilla in La Liga, which implies their place within the league desk just isn’t secured. And with 5 matches left, three of that are residence video games, the Blaugrana may drop additional in the event that they don’t kind out their kind at Camp Nou.
