Going into the October international break, FC Barcelona knew they would face one of the toughest runs of fixtures upon their return. Facing Sevilla, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid back-to-back within a week is a challenge for any team.
However, Hansi Flick’s team emerged from these three games with a cumulative score of 13-2. Not only did they beat all three teams, but they also absolutely annihilated them, solidifying their status as one of the best teams in Europe this season.
Having navigated such strong currents, still, waters now await Hansi Flick’s men—or at least, that’s the hope! A quick look at Barcelona’s next eight games suggests that, compared to their recent challenges, the Catalan club has a favorable run of fixtures, which could help them capitalize on their strong start to the season.
We are not underestimating any team here, and even Barcelona and Hansi Flick know better than to do so. However, until they face Borussia Dortmund on the 12th of December, the toughest game on paper appears to be Real Betis in La Liga.
Barcelona’s next opponents in the league are Espanyol, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas, Mallorca, and Real Betis—in that order. Four of those six teams are currently in the bottom half of La Liga, with only Betis and Mallorca in respectable positions.
Normally, one would expect Real Sociedad at the Anoeta to be a tough fixture, but Imanol Alguacil’s side has endured a very difficult start to the season. Celta have also been a bogey team in the past, but the same can be said for them: this is probably the best time to face them away from home.
In the Champions League, Barcelona face Crvena Zvezda and Stade Brestois before Borussia Dortmund. Should Hansi Flick’s men play at their best, with all due respect, they should be aiming for a perfect 24 out of 24 points by the end of this run of fixtures.
However, it is crucial not to get ahead of ourselves. The team is set to play five games in 15 days between the 24th of November and the 9th of December, which will test them physically. Flick will undoubtedly rotate the squad to ensure that everyone remains fit for the remainder of the season.
As good as Barcelona have been, we all saw what happened against Osasuna when the German coach fielded a second-string XI. Although the squad depth is much improved, it remains a constraint that needs to be taken into account.
Most importantly for Barcelona fans, the upcoming games provide a chance to see Gavi get an extended run in the team, even if most appearances are likely to come from the bench. It’s a moment many Culers have eagerly awaited since last year.
Let’s hope that Barcelona are able to get maximum points from the games that lie ahead of them. If they can manage to stay injury-free and also integrate the ones just returning from injuries, it would be a huge win for the Catalan club and let’s wait and see how it plays out.
