Barcelona have a different coach, yet the same dynamic has remained

Barcelona have a different coach, yet the same dynamic has remained.

Quique Setien's side have been unable to put an end to the shortcomings that were there under Ernesto Valverde, with the 2-0 defeat away to Valencia on Saturday afternoon showing that the change on the bench has not had a positive impact on the pitch.

 

The same frailties that have been evident throughout the season, which include wasteful play and a defensive fragility, were present at Mestalla. As such, Barcelona will travel back to Catalonia after recording their fourth away defeat of the season in LaLiga Santander.

 

Admittedly, Setien has not had the time to amend Barcelona's weaknesses, but he has brought about a change of system, yet the players still seem to be acclimatising to what the coach wants.

 

They are lost

 

Barcelona have not conceded this many goals (25) after the 21st game of the league season since the 2003/04 campaign, and the constant dependence on Lionel Messi to work his magic has part of been the Blaugrana's downfall.

 

The match against Valencia was Setien's first real test since taking charge, having beaten Granada 1-0 and then narrowly winning against Segunda Division B side Ibiza in the Copa del Rey in midweek. It was a test that he - and his team - failed.

 

In these first three games, Barcelona have dominated the ball but have done little with it. For instance, against Valencia, they had 73 percent possession but did not find the back of the net.

 

"They are not playing well, or maybe we [as a coaching staff] are not explaining ourselves well," Setien admitted after the defeat to Los Che.

 

"Positionally, there are things we need to correct - we've made a lot of pointless passes."

 

Moreover, Messi tried his best but he was largely kept at bay, thanks to a mixture of Valencia's defence and goalkeeper Jaume Domenech.

 

The Barcelona captain fired 11 shots at goal, with the Catalans attempting 14 in total, but it wasn't his day. And without Luis Suarez accompanying him in attack, Barcelona look toothless.

 

What is worse for Barcelona is that Real Madrid could open up a three-point gap at the top of LaLiga Santander if they beat Real Valladolid at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla on Sunday night, while even a draw will see Los Blancos jump above the Blaugrana and become outright leaders.