FC Barcelona Are Facing A Week Of ‘Maximum Pressure’ That Could Define Their Season

FC Barcelona broke their four-game win streak on Thursday and also went scoreless for the first time in 93 days when drawing 0-0 to Galatasaray in the Europa League last 16 first leg.

Xavi reportedly scolded his charges in the locker room at half time for their drop in intensity, which had previously seen them put the best form together on his watch since taking over the reins from Ronald Koeman mid-season.

Put simply, the Catalans will have to retrace their steps over the weekend and identify where they went wrong – with Xavi’s tinkering with the starting line up not helping matters – as they now face an eight-day period of “maximum pressure” which could come to define their campaign.

Of the three fixtures coming up in rapid succession, a home meeting with Osasuna probably looks easiest on paper to maintain third place and keep the heat on Sevilla in La Liga. Yet Jagoba Arrasate’s men are no pushovers on the road, and only Real Madrid, Real Betis, Sevilla, Barca themselves and reigning champions Atletico Madrid fare better than the 11th-placed outfit on foreign soil.

Speaking of which, the Catalans head to “hell” in Turkey on Thursday for the return leg against Galatasaray. The Nef Stadium is widely-known as one of the most hostile environments in soccer for any opposition, and Barca will need to do what they couldn’t this week and score against their hosts if they don’t wish to go to extra time and penalties. If they can’t prevail in any fashion, the season will definitely finish trophyless.

The following Sunday brings with it 2021/2022’s final installment of El Clasico. While catching up to leaders Madrid and closing a 15 point deficit is a tall order for Barca, a line in the sand can be drawn if they beat their bitter enemies on their own patch and the outcome of the fixture will give a true measure of where this side is at present.

Last October’s meeting in Catalonia was the most one-sided 2-1 defeat you’re likely to see, and Barca will look to better a Super Cup semi-final extra time loss to Los Blancos at the turn of the year which should provide inspiration for the tie.