The occurrence of red cards in crucial matches, have become a familiar sight for FC Barcelona fans. Last night’s Champions League match against Atlético saw Pau Cubarsí being sent off in the 44th minute, and it evoked certain emotions, what many would call déjà vu.
A critical night in Europe once again turned on a flashpoint of panic defence. Again, we are left with the same question in our minds: “Why always us?”
Red card and the curse of Barcelona.
To analyse everything, first we have to look at the patterns. This isn't just bad luck, but it’s becoming something very concerning and repetitive.
- 2023/24: Ronald Araújo’s early exit against PSG in the UCL quarter finals gave away a strong 1st leg advantage. Barcelona eventually lost the match 1-4.
- 2024/25: Another red for Cubarsí against Benfica disrupted a crucial group-stage position.
- 2025/2026: In November, Araújo’s red card in the 1st half made Barcelona suffer at the hands of Chelsea. Barcelona lost the match 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
- April 8, 2026: The 44th-minute red card on Giuliano Simeone didn't just leave the team with ten men. It sucked the oxygen out of a game Barça was arguably controlling. Barcelona eventually lost the match 0-2 at home.
For a club that identifies itself with “positioning” and "control", there could not be anything more ironic. Whenever the stakes are high, the backline seems oblivious to the fact that it might just be better to concede a goal, instead of the match itself.
Competence or naivety? The moment of decision.
It often comes down to either incompetence or naivety. Is it about the defenders’ inability to move quickly and position themselves correctly? Or does it have something to do with "hero complex" that compels players to try and stop opponents whenever possible, despite their better judgment telling them otherwise?
As far as Cubarsí is concerned, he is a product of the "La Masia" and he understands tactical positioning. Barcelona defend a high line that is vulnerable to quick transitions, and whenever it happens, the defenders see it as their personal obligation to fix their mistakes.
They don’t consider that there are fifty minutes left; they consider what needs to be done now to avoid the disaster. This is exactly the definition of being foolish. When playing in the Champions League, a team cannot win by showing itself to be a hero; instead, it must act as a tactician who considers the possible risks. Even in a 2-0 defeat, a team with eleven players is better than struggling with ten men.
The Human factor in the "Curse".
While it might be tempting to blame young players such as Cubarsí or leaders such as Araújo, it is important to remember that this is also a question of human factor. To wear the shirt of Barcelona in Europe is difficult. There is something that might be called a curse – it has been there ever since those two disasters in Rome and Liverpool.
As Xavi has famously said that the Barcelona shirt "weighs a few kilos more" than any other, highlighting the intense pressure and high expectations at the club. This pressure is enough to make any person’s decision fragile, and the way we play, it is bound to happen.
An Evolution That Is Absolutely Necessary
In order for Barcelona to reclaim its place at the top of European football, it is essential for the coaching staff to deal with the psychological factors as well. The defensive side must understand how to play the "game of conceding wisely". Sometimes, it’s even wise to let the opposition score, rather than make a mistake. With the attacking threat Barcelona has, they have to believe that they will eventually manage to outscore the opponent. But first, the entire teams need to remain on the field.
That night, Barcelona did not just lose to Atlético Madrid. They have taken a massive morale hit. Only time will tell, if they can put behind everything and go all in, in the 2nd leg.