Barcelona’s Tragic Collapse: Players Fall to the Ground as 41 Days of Misery Costs 16 Points in La Liga

The Olympic Stadium in Barcelona witnessed a heartbreaking scene as Alexander Sørloth’s 95th-minute winner for Atlético Madrid silenced 46,000 Barcelona fans and left the home team devastated. Players like Alejandro Balde, Pedri, Raphinha, and Ilkay Gündoğan collapsed to the ground, unable to process the crushing defeat. Meanwhile, Sørloth spread his arms in celebration, a stark contrast to the despair surrounding him.

This was not just a loss; it was a devastating blow to a Barcelona side already reeling from a difficult season. Despite leading 1-0 at halftime, Rodrigo de Paul’s equalizer and Nahuel Molina’s late assist to Sørloth turned a potential draw into a demoralizing defeat. Barcelona’s final match of 2024 encapsulated their season so far: a promising start undone by a dramatic collapse.

A Season of Contrasts: From High Hopes to Harsh Reality

Barcelona’s current La Liga campaign has been marked by inconsistency. With 19 matches played, they have already suffered five losses—matching their total for the entirety of last season under Xavi Hernández. The contrast is stark when comparing Hansi Flick’s tenure to Xavi’s: Flick’s Barcelona has amassed 38 points at the halfway mark, while Xavi’s side collected 85 points over 38 games last season.

At the start of the season, Barcelona seemed unstoppable. They secured 11 wins in their first 12 La Liga matches, losing only once and sitting atop the table with 33 points. Atlético Madrid, by contrast, had just 23 points from their opening 12 matches, trailing Barcelona by 10 points.

However, the last 41 days have seen a stunning reversal of fortunes. Barcelona’s form has nosedived, with just one win, two draws, and four losses in their last seven league games. Theoretical opportunities to collect 21 points yielded a mere five.

A Tale of Two Clubs: Barcelona’s Collapse and Atlético’s Resurgence

While Barcelona faltered, Atlético Madrid surged. Diego Simeone’s side has been in scintillating form, winning 12 consecutive matches across all competitions, including a perfect seven-game streak in La Liga. They collected the full 21 points available during this period.

The turnaround is astonishing. Forty-one days ago, Atlético trailed Barcelona by 10 points. Today, Atlético leads Barcelona by three points, having played one fewer match. This dramatic shift has left Barcelona scrambling to keep up in the title race.

Barcelona’s Recent Struggles: A Breakdown

Barcelona’s slump began with a 0-1 loss to Real Sociedad, followed by a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo. They then suffered a shocking 1-2 defeat to Las Palmas before briefly regaining form with a 5-1 win over Mallorca. However, subsequent matches saw them draw 2-2 with Real Betis, lose 0-1 to Leganés, and finally succumb to Atlético Madrid in a 1-2 thriller.

These results have left Barcelona far from their early-season dominance. The once-vibrant and energetic squad now appears drained and directionless.

Comparing Struggles: Barcelona and Manchester City

Barcelona’s collapse mirrors a similar downturn in fortunes for Manchester City in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s side, once heavy favorites for the title, has managed just one win, one draw, and six losses in their last eight league games. This dismal run has seen them collect only four points out of a possible 24.

La Liga data analyst Pedro Martín highlighted the uncanny parallel: in their respective last seven and eight matches, Barcelona and Manchester City, two of Europe’s most dominant teams, have combined for just nine points out of a potential 45.

From Contenders to Crisis

Barcelona and Manchester City’s simultaneous struggles have left fans and pundits baffled. Both clubs began their seasons as favorites to win their domestic leagues, only to find themselves in crisis mode by year’s end.

For Barcelona, the challenge now is to regroup and rediscover their form in the second half of the season. With Atlético Madrid surging and Real Madrid consistently applying pressure, the road ahead will be anything but easy. As for Manchester City, the Premier League offers no respite, with Arsenal, Liverpool, and other contenders ready to capitalize on their missteps.

The coming months will reveal whether Barcelona and Manchester City can recover or if their seasons will be remembered as cautionary tales of unfulfilled potential.