And so the first Barcelona crisis of the season begins. A 1-2 defeat at the hands of Alaves (of all teams) at Camp Nou (of all places) sent shockwaves around La Liga. Typically, with Barcelona involved, a few more knees than usual are knocking.
But, we’ve been here before. A 4-1 hammering by Celta Vigo in September last season, followed by a 2-1 defeat by Sevilla early in October, had the knives out with the campaign barely woken from its slumber. Barca responded by going unbeaten in La Liga until April the next year. Luis Enrique issued calm then, and he’s doing the same now. And though he may have got it wrong on Saturday evening, he’s well worth listening to.
It was a case of perhaps too much, too soon from Barcelona. Much has been made of their added squad depth this season and while it can be a positive, it’s also a sword of your own to fall upon if too much change is administered, especially so early in the season with players still adapting.
Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto were all left out following a hectic International break. And indeed it was in defence where Barca looked particularly at odds. Aleix Vidal is still growing into his Barca shirt while Javier Mascherano was uncharacteristically out of sorts. The stability Pique offers to him is perhaps an underrated quantity. Jeremy Mathieu is anything but, at times resembling an octopus looking for a lost tentacle while blinded by its own ink.
There was no Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta too, adding further fuel to the fire in Alaves’ bellies. The trio were later thrown on to no avail, as Barca’s attack fell flat on its face just as the defence did. Neymar had barely trained with the team since his summer return, and it was just another cause that had an effect on the night. It was indeed, just one of those nights. Barca fans can take solace in the fact that there won’t be many such nights across the course of the season.
Luis Enrique: "It was difficult for us and it's an unsightly result against opponents we have to congratulate" pic.twitter.com/88yLRTbUD8
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 10, 2016
“The second [Alaves] goal, after another error by us, hit the group hard and did a lot of damage because it was a demonstration of our defensive fragility.” stated Luis Enrique after the game, identifying his backline as the main problem on the night. Heavy rotation ultimately lead to confusion and Alaves pounced in impeccable fashion.
At Camp Nou you don’t get many chances with Barca very much in the ascendancy, but without their key components even the Catalan giants can have an off night. Alaves perhaps saw the teamsheet and fancied themselves.
And this is not to belittle the performance of Alaves either. They came prepared and not only created chances, but took them too. On the inevitable back foot they were organised and maintained their composure. There were no rash tackles or loss of shape. They stayed calm, and got an early reward in their first La Liga campaign in 10 years. It was their night and one they will rightly savour for some time.
Elsewhere this weekend, Sevilla fans’ nails may already be past the cuticles and their hair ripped from their scalp, despite it being only the third game of the season. A dramatic ending to a game against a Las Palmas side who had pummelled them for the first 45 minutes, saw Jorge Sampaoli’s men produce some escape effort.
A penalty that never was and a 94th minute winner that perhaps never was too secured a 2-1 win. It was cruel on Las Palmas but well football is, you know…cruel.
Meanwhile, If Barca’s own crises are fleeting, Valencia’s must surely be permanent and part of the club badge by now. Only they could rescue a game from the depths, only to then find time to throw it away all over again. Trailing 2-0 they brought it back to 2-2 via a brilliant cameo from new boy Munir.
But then Real Betis have Ruben Castro. And when you have Ruben Castro you score goals. He did just that with the last kick of the game, securing a 2-3 win to further the 35-year-old striker’s legend at the club.
