Barcelona was not able to secure their spot in the next round of the UEFA Champions League, even if they managed to maintain their unbeaten status. Nonetheless, the Blaugrana side and coach Ernesto Valverde really need to look into how things are developing to avoid any more problems.
Speaking about Tuesday's game against Slavia, the Czech side avoided conceding against Los Culés, and what makes this draw even more surprising, the Fortuna Liga champions ended one of the most impressive streaks the Catalan side owned, as this is the first time in over six years in which the Blaugrana outfit has failed to score a goal when playing at Camp Nou in European comps.
"Barcelona failed to score in a UCL Group Stage match at Camp Nou for the first time since December 5, 2012 against Benfica"
Barcelona terminó sin anotar en un partido de fase de grupos de la #CHAMPIONSxESPN en el Camp Nou por primera vez desde el 5 de diciembre de 2012 vs. Benfica (0-0). pic.twitter.com/H5cHul8IG7
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) November 5, 2019
If that is not enough reason to have fans worried about Barcelona's performance, their dependence on what Messi can -or cannot- do makes fans believe that this club is turning into a predictable side, as these numbers show.
Lionel Messi vs. Slavia Prague:
• Most shots (8)
• Most take-ons completed (5)
• Most shots on target (3)
More shots than the rest of his teammates combined (6). pic.twitter.com/36PszTAlvA
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 5, 2019
The Argentine ace did not have one of the best games in his laureated UEFA Champions League career, and his current failure to score is starting to worry some of his supporters.
0 - Barcelona player Lionel Messi has failed to score in consecutive Champions League home games for the first time since April 2015. Vigilance. pic.twitter.com/lsUR6HvmPa
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 5, 2019
Barcelona will keep the top spot in Group F regardless of what happens with Inter and Borussia Dortmund. Even so, the Blaugrana side may need to step things up for their final games in the group stage to avoid a potential elimination from the tournament.