Analyst slams FC Barcelona for complacency following 2-2 draw

FC Barcelona likes to make things difficult for themselves. They fell behind to Villarreal, Celta Vigo and Mallorca, yet still remain unbeaten in La Liga. While they were able to complete full comebacks on two occasions, they had to settle for a point last night in a disappointing 2-2 draw at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix.

Barcelona are held to a certain standard by the players, fans and media. Not only are they expected to beat a team like Mallorca, but they’re expected to dominate them, even when missing key pieces like Frenke de Jong and Pedri. When they don’t, questions get asked.

Barca’s stay at the top of the table could disappear this evening if Real Madrid beat Las Palmas or Girona take three points away at Villareal, but should we be worried?

Xavier Bosch slams FC Barcelona for a lack of intensity and complacency

Mundo Deportivo football analyst Xavier Bosch went on the offensive this morning, saying the Barcelona players threw the first half by conceding “two silly goals, due to two childish errors”.

Barcelona would have returned to Catalonia empty-handed had it not been for Fermin Lopez’s strike to even the score. But it was that first half that frustrated Bosch with the journalist claiming Barca came out with “less intensity than the opponent”. If you watched the game that’s difficult to argue with, Mallorca were fast and physical and Barca seemed to lack an element of leadership on the pitch.

Bosch also believes that Xavi’s comments following two consecutive victories led the Barcelona players into the cloud of complacency, with the team set to “believe it was already invincible”. 

The analyst also went on to criticise the decision to select two new centre-backs with Xavi electing to partner Inigo Martinez and Ronald Araujo at the heart of defence in place of regulars Jules Kounde and Andreas  Christensen.

Finally, it was the German combination of Marc-André ter Stegen and İlkay Gündoğan who came under fire, “It is well known that Germans go on holiday to Mallorca, but last night Ter Stegen and Gündogan relaxed too much” with Bosch going onto say that Gundogan “continues to play dull football”. 

Last night was disappointing, but we need to keep it in perspective. We’re still top of the league and we’re still undefeated. Everyone will be expecting a response against Seville on Friday night.