Barcelona: Lack of real spending power? Cruyff’s simple philosophy disappearing? Where has it all gone wrong for Barca?

ALTHOUGH Barcelona had suffered their heaviest defeat in nine years at Celta Vigo’s Balaidos stadium last season, given the current form of both teams, no one expected another dose of the same.

The 4-3 scoreline flattered the Catalans who weren’t at the races in the first half, conceding three in 11 minutes.

A brief second half rally, inspired by defender Gerard Pique as an auxillary striker, was all in vain as another terrible Marc-Andre ter Stegen ultimately decided the outcome.

So where’s it all going wrong for Barca and are the golden years a thing of the past?

Let’s take a look …

Quantity but not quality

The Catalans have lacked strength in depth for a while now and whilst it’s true that this summer they’ve procured sufficient back up, whether it’s efficient back up is another question entirely.

Samuel Umtiti aside, Denis Suarez is struggling to adapt back at his old club and Paco Alcacer looks out of his depth.

Lucas Digne and Andre Gomes won’t be first-choice either unless Luis Enrique is prepared to drop Messrs. Iniesta, Busquets and Alba.

Lack of real spending power

Before Paul Pogba signed for Manchester United, it’s worth noting that Barca had first option on him.

If they wanted to buy him, they could and there would’ve been nothing anyone could’ve done about it.

But they were priced out of the market – and they will continue to be so.

Their £104m total outlay this summer was just to pad out the squad.

Clearly, after turning down the chance of Pogba, Josep Maria Bartomeu has made the Catalans’ stance clear.

They can’t compete and the likelihood of another Neymar or Suarez Galactico signing is remote.

Man City spent a whopping £177m, Man Utd £157m, and Chelsea £108m with plenty more in reserve should Antonio Conte have required it.

The only reason Real Madrid spent a paltry £25m in comparison was because Zinedine Zidane was completely happy with the squad he was inheriting.

Too much rotation

When the Barcelona vintage of 2008-2012 were all conquering it was often down to the same core of players that were rarely rotated.

Xavi in his pomp, Messi at his Ballon d’Or winning best…

Now, Enrique considers as many as seven rotations for one game as normal – and his team are paying the price.

Alaves took full advantage at the Camp Nou and so did Celta Vigo this past weekend even if there weren’t quite as many changes for the latter.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Cruyff’s simple philosophy – disappearing

“Playing football is very simple but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is.”

One of Johan Cruyff’s most famous quotes and one that could always be applied to Barca.

They made football into an art form. Not anymore.

Their play is disjointed, Neymar doesn’t know when to keep a lid on the showboating, the movement and short, sharp passing game that has defined Barcelona’s golden era has often disappeared in a number of games….

The Dutchman would be livid.

Messi marked out of games, too deep

Still the player to whom everyone aspires, but far too often now Lionel Messi is having to drop deeper and deeper in order to orchestrate.

His influence is diluted in so doing and in an already congested midfield, the Argentinian gets crowded out.

When his colleagues inevitably go looking for him, there’s no space for him to work in, and Barca’s attacks are moribund as a result.