Each novelty carries some sort of excitement with it. However, the problem is that we come across novelties way too often, so the enthusiasm inevitably fades sooner or later. Once Hansi Flick and Barcelona took off for a trip whose final destinations were trophies – La Liga and the Champions League preferably – the German’s crew quickly won people’s hearts, being one of the most intriguing novelties football has lately provided.A team bringing a mixture of creativity and discipline, composed of old hands and youngsters, became a proper attraction in European football very fast. Everyone quickly learned about Pau Cubarsi, Marc Casado, and his namesake Bernal, while Pedri, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Dani Olmo, and Co. were already well-known.Barca stunned at home by Las Palmas!Barca’s attacking trio of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal was pronounced the best in the world, while the Pole’s class, the Brazilian’s revival, and the Spaniard’s genius were widely spoken about. Flick was the innovator who “cracked football’s code,” inventing a so-far unseen tactic.All this could be heard a month and a half ago after the Catalans humiliated Real Madrid in El Classico 4-0 at Santiago Bernabeu. However, it’s not for nothing said that it is more difficult to stay on top than to get there. Moreover, Barca’s fall seemed to have begun that very night once the ref, Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, blew the final whistle.Barcelona during November in La Liga:Real Sociedad 1-0 BarçaCelta Vigo 2-2 BarçaBarça 1-2 Las Palmas1 out of 9 possible points. pic.twitter.com/cBDyiI8M7M— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) November 30, 2024 At that point, Barcelona were six points ahead of the fiercest rivals, and a week later the gap was increased to nine steps. The stories of the La Liga title return to Camp Nou were getting louder, and champagne was on ice. A month and a half later, Los Blancos are only a single point behind with a match more to play, given that their duel against Valencia had been postponed. Should they triumph, they’ll take over the top spot.What happened with Barca in the meantime? We told you that novelties quickly fade… The Catalans failed to win in three consecutive La Liga games, falling short in Sociedad (1-0) and at home against Las Palmas (2-1), while the “suicide” in Vigo and gambling away a 2-0 lead against Celta in the last ten minutes speak volumes.FC Barcelona in their last 3 seasons in La Liga, after the first 15 MatchDays:▪️2022-23 (with Xavi): 38 points▪️2023-24 (with Xavi): 34 points▪️2024-25 (with Flick): 34 points pic.twitter.com/aUSjcZ1ebz— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) December 1, 2024 From this perspective, it seems that Flick’s tactics are seen through and that his defensive line positioned at the centre of the pitch, offensive wing-backs, and continual pressing are old news for the rivals. The cure appears to have been found, and now, the German innovator has to go back to the lab and invent something new. Otherwise, his short-lived “football renaissance” will remain a grain of sand in the desert of novelties football provides time after time.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 15Friday Mallorca – Valencia 2-1 (1-1)/Larin 45+3, Prats 81 – Rioja 32 pen/SaturdayBarcelona – Las Palmas 1-2 (0-0)/Raphinha 61 – Ramirez 49, Silva 67/Alaves – Leganes 1-1 (0-0)/Vicente 88 – Rodriguez 67/Espanyol – Celta 3-1 (1-0)/Cardona 40, Cabrera 53, Cheddira 87 – Aspas 83 pen/Valladolid – Atl.Madrid 0-5 (0-3)/Lenglet 26, Alvarez 35, De Paul 37, Griezmann 52, Sorloth 90+2/Sunday Villarreal – Girona 2-2 (1-0)/Barry 23, Baena 46 – Van de Beek 66, Krejci 90+7/Real Madrid – Getafe 2-0 (2-0)/Bellingham 30 pen, Mbappe 38/Rayo Vallecano – Ath.Bilbao 1-2 (1-0)/Nteka 14 – Sancet 65, 78/Sociedad – Betis 2-0 (2-0)/Llorente 14 og, Oyarzabal 31 pen/Monday 23.00: (2.15) Sevilla (3.30) Osasuna (3.50)***odds are subject to change***
