Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Barcelona’s transformation because the departure of Lionel Messi in 2021 has been nothing in need of exceptional. What as soon as appeared like a membership on the breaking point due to monetary mismanagement has now became a disciplined and improved establishment. Wage cuts, smarter investments, and a brand new technology of expertise rising from La Masia have all contributed to the membership’s resurgence.
Underneath earlier boss Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona regained their dominance in La Liga, lifting the league title in 2022-23 by counting on a cohesive group of kids slightly than ageing superstars. The line of defense has strengthened, the midfield is extra dynamic, and attacking choices are extra balanced than they’ve been in years.
Now, underneath Hansi Flick, the Catalan giants proceed to impress with their attacking numbers—scoring 120 targets in 39 matches this season. Nevertheless, regardless of all these enhancements, there stays one vital space the place Barcelona have but to seek out a solution since Messi’s exit, Spanish journalist Xavier Bosch suggests.
For all their tactical developments, Barcelona nonetheless lack a true direct free-kick specialist—one thing that was by no means a priority when Messi was on the pitch. Through the years, the Argentine maestro transformed set-pieces into targets with astonishing regularity, making each foul outdoors the penalty field a possible scoring alternative.
Since his departure, the Blaugrana have struggled to interchange that magic. Whereas their general set-piece effectivity has improved, with 21 targets from dead-ball conditions this season—together with seven from nook kicks, 5 from oblique free kicks, and eight penalties—their report from direct free kicks has been dismal. The Blaugrana have tried 23 direct free kicks this season however have scored simply one—a fluke effort from Pablo Torre in opposition to Sevilla that went in as a result of nobody acquired a contact on it.
Obvious weak spot on pitch
This weak spot was on full show within the current Copa del Rey conflict in opposition to Atletico Madrid. With Barcelona main 4-2 and an opportunity to place the sport past doubt, they had been awarded a free kick from simply 17 meters out—the proper place for a specialist to step up.
As a substitute, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski opted for a rehearsed routine that amounted to nothing. Simply minutes later, Atletico pulled a purpose again, shifting the momentum and ultimately securing a 4-4 draw. Such missed alternatives have price the Catalans dearly in essential matches, highlighting how a lot they miss a participant able to turning dead-ball conditions into targets.
Candidates who didn’t ship
A number of gamers have tried to step into Messi’s sneakers as a free-kick specialist, however none have succeeded. Raphinha, as an example, has taken 42 free kicks since becoming a member of Barcelona—18 this season alone underneath Flick—but has failed to attain a single one. Pedri, who has demonstrated his capacity in coaching, has by no means been trusted to take one in an actual match.
It’s not nearly approach, but additionally confidence. Messi’s presence alone made opposition defenders cautious about conceding fouls close to the field, understanding that he may punish them immediately. Barcelona now not has that psychological edge, however that may change if the Spaniards by some means handle to lure their solely true fashionable free-kick taker again to the brand new Camp Nou.
