Barca Breakdown (fc Barcelona)

The BarcaBreakdown is back with FC Barcelona defeating Getafe 1-0 at the first La Liga game at Camp Nou in 2023. Pedri scored a goal from a wonderful Raphinha cross to put Xavi’s Barca up 6 points in La Liga (for now..). Barcelona will now be looking onward to the Copa Del Rey match against Real Sociedad on Wednesday.   Thankfully, Barca took home 3 points with Ronald Araujo, Frenkie De Jong, and Robert Lewandowski (red card suspension) all unavailable for the game.

Barca Buzz TV is back with FC Barcelona beating AD Cueta to reach the Copa Del Rey Quarter Finals. Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Frank Kessie, and Ansu Fati all scored to help Xavi’s men continue their string of good performances.   Thankfully, Xavi was able to rest Frenkie De Jong, Ousmane Dembele, Ronald Araujo, and Jules Kounde for the full 90 minutes, with a La Liga game against Getafe looming this Sunday. Real Madrid is 3 points behind, so it is crucial for Barca to rest players when possible in the coming months.

The Barca Breakdown celebrates FC Barcelona’s victory over Real Madrid in the Super Cup. Gavi’s absolutely amazing performance lead the way in what was a truly dominate win from Xavi’s Barca as they captured their first trophy. Lewandowski, Gavi, and Pedri all scored and assisted each other during the rout in Riyadh.   Xavi, as he did against Atletico, went with a four man midfield of Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Pedri and Gavi. This turned out to be crucial with all four players putting in one of their best performances this season.

The Barca Breakdown is back with the FC Barcelona 2-2 victory on penalties against Real Betis in the Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final! Robert Lewandoski and Ansu Fati had a goal each to help Barca reach the Super Cup Final against Real Madrid. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen proved to be the key player for Barcelona again, adding to his impressive goalkeeping resume in the 2022/2023 season. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarcaBreakdown

FC Barcelona took 3 huge points against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano, leaving Barca top of the league after Real Madrid’s dropped points against Villareal. Xavi’s Barca went ahead early in the 22nd minute as Ousmane Dembele scored a huge goal thanks to a beautiful run from Pedri and nice touch by Gavi. The game became nervy after, however, as Barca lost control and our old foe/friend Antoinne Griezmann lead Atleti in the search for a goal. However, the wonderful backline of Balde, Christensen, Araujo, and Kounde helped Marc Andre Ter Stegen keep another clean sheet in La Liga!   Xavi experimented with a four man midfield of Busquets and Frenkie De Jong behind Pedri and Gavi, with only Ousmane Dembele and Fati up front with Robert Lewandowski serving his 3 match ban. Unfortunately, substitute Ferran Torres received a red card, adding to the recent red cards of Jordi Alba and Robert Lewandowski.

The BarcaBreakdown is back with a match review of FC Barcelona’s 1-1 draw against Espanyol, featuring goals by Marcus Alonso and Joselu. Xavi’s Barca returned after the World Cup (won by Lionel Messi!!) and immediately entered a derby versus Espanyol marred by the awful officiating from Mateu Lahoz. We did see Xavi rest some players who recently came back from international duty, such as Kounde and Dembele from France, as well as Araujo not featuring as he slowly gets reintegrated with the team after injury recovery. The first half saw FC Barcelona apply the most pressure, culminating with the Alonso goal assisted by Christensen. However, we did see ineffective play from Ansu Fati and Raphinha. Xavi decided to use Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, and Gavi in the midfield, a continuation of the last few games where we have seen Busquets slowly lose his place as an every game starter. The second half was a Lahoz fiest, filled with a double-yellow red card for Jordi Alba, with both cards occurring within 5 minutes of eac

The BarcaBreakdown discuss Ronald Araujo's call up for the World Cup with Uruguay after recovering from thigh surgery. FC Barcelona must not be too happy with Araujo playing, as we experienced Samuel Umtiti hurting his knee permanently playing for France (and winning) in 2018. However, Araujo already had surgery and is recovering quicker than expected, which hopefully helps reduce any chance of injury. Here are the other Barca players at the World Cup 2022: Spain: Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati, Pedri, Gavi, Busquets, Ferran Torres, and Jordi Alba France: Ousmane Dembele and Jules Kounde Denmark: Eric Christensen Poland: Robert Lewandowski Brazil: Raphinha Netherlands: Frenkie De Jong and Memphis Depay Germany: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen

The Barca Breakdown reviewed FC Barcelona's Victory against Osasuna. A game that seemed impossible to win after going down one goal and a man, Barca were able to muster the strength to take 3 points. This season, it has been atypical to see Barca perform well in the second half. But when it mattered most, Barca were able to score 2 goals and are now clear 5 points ahead of Madrid. The timing is perfect as all of soccer is heading into the international break for the World Cup. Barca were able to make their final mark and really solidify their place at the top of the La liga table.    Subscribe to our channel for coverage of everything FC Barcelona - Thank you for your support! 

The Barca Breakdown reviewed FC Barcelona's Victory against Valencia. A last minute goal by Lewandowski, assisted by Raphinha, gives Barcelona the win! However, the overall performance of the team was lackluster. Players look tired and off target with shots and passing. Physical and mental fatigue may be dwindling Barca's performances aside from all the individual injuries that riddle the team. The one saving grace Barca's La Liga record holds strong in run with Real Madrid and Barca are able to weather the storm of the October schedule. Two Liga games are left before the international break. Can Barca finish strong?     Subscribe to our channel for coverage of everything FC Barcelona - Thank you for your support! 

The Barca Breakdown reviewed FC Barcelona's defeat against Bayern Munish. Even before the game, Barca Europa League fate was sealed as Inter beat Plzen 4-0. With Barca knocked out of the Champions League two years in a row in the group stages, who is to blame? We tackle this question by addressing Xavi record this season, the players, and the Barca board. There were high expectations to the season and having them end again in harsh fashion has left the fan base split. Can Barca still make something of the season? Subscribe to our channel for coverage of everything FC Barcelona - Thank you for your support!

The Barca Breakdown reviewed FC Barcelona's victory against former manager, Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Bilbao. Xavi has really grown and chosen to try new lineups/strategies to adjust their play. This included playing 4 midfielders allowing Barca to control the midfield and push players forward. The star players were Dembele, Balde, and Frenkie De Jong. Additionally, Roberto played way more offensively adding to interplay with Demeble. This allowed Dembele to run in open spaces and connect with other players scoring a goal and contributing with 3 assists. Barca are on a upswing. Can Barca continue this trend in bigger profile games, including Wednesday's game against Bayern at the Camp Nou?   Subscribe to our channel for coverage of everything FC Barcelona - Thank you for your support! 

The Barca Breakdown reviewed FC Barcelona's victory against the Yellow Submarines, Villareal. The team that Barca lost to in their final game of last season at the Camp Nou. However, the tables were turned today's game as Barca were able to score 3 goals in the first half. Lewandowski scored a brace and face scored the third. The performance was overwhelmingly positive with Barca maintaining much of the possession and creating many opportunities. It's hard to tell what the reason behind Barca's success was as Xavi started a rather different line-up as of recently. We saw Frenkie De Jong start as the pivot in place of Busquets as well as Fati starting on the left wing and Torres on the right wing. Was it the midfield that provided the catalyst for the victory or was it the wingers? Could it also have been that Villareal did not perform very well and Barca took advantage? Whatever the case, Barce seems to be able to capitalize against many La Liga teams, but generally, in higher profile games, against strong te

The Barca Breakdown reviewed FC Barcelona's defeat in El Clasico. As Real Madrid and Barca were tied on points heading into the game, a victory was crucial for either team. Although, it was Madrid who wanted it more. They dominated Barca in the transition and midfield control. However, it wasn't only the intensity that brought Madrid their victory, but Barca's poor defensive structure which left them susceptible to the counter attack. Yes, the ref wasn't great, but Barca did not play with intensity or a dynamic movement to overtake the Madrid defence. Too many times, Barca held onto the ball allowing for Madrid's defense to set itself up. Then there is Busquets. Again, he was too slow and made bad fouls resulting in a Madrid goal. Xavi was also slow to make substitutes after the first half in which Barca were losing 2-0. Xavi's stubbornness has seen Barca face difficult repercussions and it will only get harder towards the end of the month. Villareal is next on Thursday followed by Athletic Bilbao and Bayern

The Barca Breakdown reviewed FC Barcelona's draw in the second leg against Inter Milan at the Camp Nou. Every fan felt this game was do or die and the Camp Nou fans' energy was exuberant! The Blaugrana energy was also pouring out on the pitch as players pushed their physical limits. Dembele and Lewandowki were able to score 3 goals. However it wasn't enough. Barca were their own worst enemy as blunders from Pique, Busquets, and Eric Garcia resulted in 3 goals for the Italian side. The result is another knife in the side of Barca fans. Barca find themselves 3rd in the Champions League group still 3 points behind Inter. Inter must lose both remaining games and Barca must win both... but Barca still will face Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou. Xavi and his men will be faced with another challenge this weekend in the highly anticipated El Clasico against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. A win against Real would bolster Barca's hopes of taking the La Liga title. Subscribe to our channel for coverage of everything

The BarcaBreakdown discuss the 1-0 victory of FC Barcelona against Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou.

The Barca Breakdown discuss the loss in Italy against Inter Milan. In their 3rd Champions League game of the season, Barca find themselves 3rd in the group only able to score against Plzen.    There were many problems in the game, but most issues can be isolated to Xavi's decisions and lack of adaptation. While Alonso can be a great asset, his start in this game is on question as he's only played against Bayern Munich and has had no other minutes since acquisition. Balde being the front man as left back was completely snuffed. Another issue falls in Raphinha playing on the left wing when it's clear his potential and skill are best found on the right wing.   Despite this Barca had a few moments in the first half but were not equipped to break the low block defense of Inter. Where Xavi failed is his ability to adapt to the game and make player changes at appropriate times. The first substitute came in the 65'. Changes should have occurred after the first half at the earliest.   Lastly, it appears Barca are stru

The Barca Breakdown discussed the victory against Mallorca after returning from the international break. With all the injuries that racked up, Xavi had to change the line up. Alba started as the left back with Balde on the right back alongside Pique and Christensen. Appearing in the midfield was Kessie, Busquets, and Gavi with Dembele, Lewandowksi, and Fati on the attack. While this is not Xavi's first choice, considering the return from international break, injuries, and the need to rest players before the Champions League game against Inter Milan, it was a good decision.    The game was rather underwhelming. Barca was able to create one brilliant chance from Lewandowski in the 20'. This goal was all Barca needed to win the game and take 1st on the table, well at least until Real play Osasuna tomorrow. Other than the goal, Barca were flat on their chances and did not provide many offensive opportunities. The largest and most worrying aspect of the game was Barca's effort in the defense. Many times, Barca pla

The Barca Breakdown discussed the unfortunate news of players injured during the international break. It seems Araujo, Kounde, De Jong, and Bellerin have all picked up injuries. This could not have come at a worse time as Barca are about to have the one of the most important months of the year in October. Barca face Inter Milan two times in the champions league along with the second leg of Bayern. While Barca must beat Inter Milan so that there is no question to move out of the group stages, this puts Xavi in quite a predicament. Barca are in second place (2 points behind Madrid), just picked up 5 injuries, and have 6 la Liga games and 3 in CL in October, Xavi must decide what is more important, La Liga or the Champions League. Now it is possible that Barca make if through the CL even if they do not beat Inter, as Inter still can lose to Plzen or Barca could beat Bayern. However do to the uncertainty and the fact Barca most likely will not win the Champions League, it is more important to focus on La Liga. Ad

The Barca Breakdown discussed Matchday 6 against Elche. Elche has surely struggled this season as they've plummeted to 20th on the table. Barca's form this season has proved to be strong, scoring many goals, many of which coming from Lewandowski.    Unfortunately for Elche, they received a red card for a poor foul on Lewandowski in the 15th minute leaving them with 10 men. Barca certainly capitalized on this opportunity, in the 34' when Balde crossed the ball into the box and Lewy slid in and scored. It was all downhill for Elche from that point. Depay was also able to box out his defender in the box and received a pass from Balde. Depay quickly turned and smashed the ball into the back of the net. The first half ended and Barca completely dominated possession and control of the game.    The second half started with Kessie subbed off for Gavi. Soon after, Gavi pushed forward and crossed the ball back to Lewandowski. A one touch shot placed the ball in the left side of the net. Barca lead 3-0.    Big shout out

The Barca Breakdown discussed the tough Champions League loss in Munich. With so much history in the recent years between Bayern and Barca, this match was highly anticipated. This is especially true as Barca has seen some wonderful improvement this year under Xavi and after the summer transfer window. Unfortunately, the game did not pan out in Barca's favor and they lost 2-0 to Bayern. Barca's biggest enemy was themselves. This game could have been won with some clinical finishing from Lewandowski and Pedri. Additionally, the front line overall seems to lack that final oomph. Let's take a step back and look at Xavi's lineup. It was pretty obvious Xavi was going to start Dembele, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Pedri, Gavi, and Busquets. However, surprisingly, Xavi started Alonso as left back ahead of Balde or even Alba. Christensen also received a start over Garcia, presumably due to the injury Garcia has. Despite the one curveball, Barca came out with a ferocity unseen in a big Champions League game in the last few