Keep your feet on the ground

Barcelona must stay grounded after back-to-back defeats to Bayern and Real Madrid; Flick's side needs defensive adjustments and attacking fluidity to challenge for titles.

Barcelona have lost consecutive matches — away to European champions Bayern Munich and at home to Real Madrid after 23 straight home wins — but the defeats are not catastrophic in isolation. However, the club must keep perspective: titles are won from April onwards, and Barcelona remain aspirants rather than Europe's best team yet.

Manager Hansi Flick knows his target but the results are exposing structural weaknesses. Defensive fragility requires urgent fixes — better reading of pressure moments, smarter positioning, and potentially more sustainable defensive registers for big matches. Equally, Barcelona's attack has stalled; when they don't flow offensively, they lose their charm. The midfield is being suffocated by opponents' one-on-one pressing, and Lamine Yamal needs better service to make his mark.

There is much of the season remaining. Ronald Araujo has rediscovered his form at right-back, a role that suits modern football's hybrid defender profile, and has already scored twice in the Champions League. Barcelona have the talent and time to deliver a memorable campaign.