Three takeaways from Slavia Prague 2-4 Barcelona | UEFA Champions League MD7 | OneFootball

Barcelona’s first-half performance against Slavia Prague in the UEFA Champions League was not one that the team would like to remember, for they struggled against the Czech-based side and even conceded two goals from corners.

The hosts opened the scoring in just the tenth minute of the game, but Fermin Lopez then stepped up with a brace to hand Barcelona the lead with a comeback.

Slavia Prague, however, equalised again less than two minutes after Barcelona took the lead.

It was only in the second half that Barcelona pulled clear with Dani Olmo scoring a screamer after coming off the bench. Robert Lewandowski then added the finishing touches, giving the team all three points.

Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Slavia Prague 2-4 Barcelona.

Adverse conditions

Barcelona played in very difficult conditions. (Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)

At a time when the local Czech league has been suspended for over a month and a half owing to adverse conditions and severe cold, the UEFA Champions League handed Barcelona no respite.

The Catalans’ travel to Prague is perhaps the most adverse conditions they will face on the field all season, and it is clear that the weather had a major role to play in how they performed.

At the time of kickoff, the local temperature in Prague was already sub-zero, and it only got colder as the night progressed, putting Barcelona to a massive test not only in terms of their sporting level but also their physical endurance.

As the home team who have played and grown acclimatised to the conditions for years, the hosts undoubtedly had an advantage over Barcelona and moved much quicker, made fewer mistakes and even created the better chances in the first half. 

It took Barcelona a complete 45 minutes to find their way back, and their initial sloppy and slow movements improved after the break. The conditions, needless to say, played their part.

A defensive catastrophe

Barcelona conceded two goals from set-pieces. (Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)

While Barcelona did maintain six clean sheets in seven games between mid-December and mid-January, it was always clear that their record was down to Joan Garcia’s brilliance and not improved defensive performances.

The goalkeeper, after all, kept Villarreal and Espanyol at bay in games where they should have deservedly scored and also put up a good shift against Athletic Club.

There was, thus, a lingering sense that everything could be undone in a fraction of a second, and that was what transpired when Barcelona played Real Sociedad at the weekend.

Conceding two goals against La Real, Barcelona had their eyes opened that their clean sheet record did not mean improved defensive performances.

They ran out of luck, and poor defence was one of the factors that cost them three points.

Last night, for the second consecutive game, they were catastrophic in defence and simply could not defend to save their lives.

Playing against a team that has struggled to score in the Champions League all season, Barcelona conceded twice from corners in just the first half and showed absolutely no sense of defensive communication, positioning or strategy.

The Slavia Prague players were allowed to make runs in the box with no resistance, faced no competition in reaching the ball and found the back of the net with relative ease from set-pieces – something that paints a very poor image of Barcelona’s defence once more.

Set up for a fascinating MD8

Several results and upsets on match day seven went Barcelona’s way, and the Catalans also achieved what they needed as they won by a 4-2 margin.

All eyes on the preparation for matchday 8. (Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)

Not only does the win give them three points, but it also takes their point difference to +5.

With one game left in the league stage, Barcelona stand on 13 points and is just outside the top-8 bracket, as they sit in ninth place. Alongside them, however, are seven other teams on 13 points.

PSG, Newcastle United and Chelsea are the three teams on equal points with Barcelona but with a superior goal differential. Four teams, meanwhile, follow the Catalans with a smaller goal difference.

The final round of the Champions League will be played next week, and Barcelona do have a reasonable chance of making it through directly to the top-8 and qualifying for the knockouts.

To do that, however, they must not only win but absolutely hammer FC Copenhagen at home. After all, the bigger the goal difference, the more assured they are of a top-8 spot.

Next week’s clash, thus, will see Flick’s Barcelona go all out in attack and it will be key that they stay compact and solid in defence as well. Lamine Yamal will be back on the night, handing the team a major boost.

Concurrently, however, Flick will have to secure the result while playing with deficient resources in midfield and that is easier said than done.

After all, Frenkie de Jong is suspended for the game, while Pedri will miss it through injury.