Valverde’s Side Shows First Signs of Weakness in Celta Vigo Stalemate
Barcelona‘s unexpected 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo this weekend revealed cracks in the Catalan giants’ armor for the first time this season. While Ernesto Valverde’s men maintain their five-point lead at La Liga’s summit after Valencia’s shock defeat to Getafe, football analyst Terry Gibson warns of dangerous complacency creeping into the squad – exemplified by Gerard Pique’s unusually casual performance.
The Pique Problem: A Barometer for Barcelona’s Focus
Gibson, speaking on Jeetwin La Liga analysis show, identified Pique as the canary in Barcelona‘s coal mine: “I can tell in five minutes whether he’s fully engaged or not. On Saturday, with his hands shielding his eyes from the sun early in the match, his body language screamed complacency.”
The veteran defender’s lackluster approach proved symptomatic of Barcelona’s wider issues:
- First signs of complacency this season
- Similar patterns to last season’s dropped points
- Lack of defensive urgency against counter-attacking sides
Tactical Troubles in Neymar’s Absence
Barcelona‘s £97m replacement for Neymar, Ousmane Dembele, remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, forcing Valverde into creative – but problematic – midfield solutions:
- Rakitic and Iniesta deployed uncomfortably wide
- Paulinho’s forward runs leaving defensive gaps
- Critical lack of pace in transitional moments
- Fullbacks exposed to counterattacks
La Liga Landscape: Opportunity Missed
While Barcelona extended their lead, two consecutive draws represent missed chances to capitalize on rivals’ struggles:
- Real Madrid held at Athletic Bilbao
- Valencia’s surprise loss to 10-man Getafe
- Messi’s 13 goals keeping title challenge alive
Gibson cautions: “They hadn’t shown this complacency all season until now. Last year’s mistakes can’t be repeated if they want to maintain this advantage.”
The Road Ahead: Wake-up Call Needed
As Jeetwin analysis reveals, Barcelona face critical questions:
- Can Valverde address the complacency issue?
- How quickly can Dembele return to solve width problems?
- Will Pique and the defense regain their focus?
With the winter break approaching, Barcelona’s response to this wake-up call could define their season. The Catalans remain favorites, but as Saturday proved, no lead is safe when concentration lapses. For more in-depth tactical analysis, stay tuned to Jeetwin expert coverage of La Liga’s thrilling title race.
