With almost one third of LaLiga done and dusted, Barcelona don't look like a title-winning team, or at least not as much as they did in previous seasons, which has led to Luis Enrique and the rest of the club asking what needs improvement. Some factors are out of the club's control, like injuries, while others need for the staff and players to take responsibility, such as dropping so many points at home. The FIFA virus has hit the Blaugrana much harder this year than in seasons past, with three of the four matches after international break seeing Luis Enrique's side drop points. Even Messi-dependence, has crept back in somewhat, as the 0-0 draw against Malaga showed. "It's worrying that we've dropped so many points at home," Pique admitted, a sign that not all is well at the Camp Nou.
Neymar too hasn't been at his usual best, and when injuries are added into the mix, it is fortunate the Catalan club are still hanging in there with Real Madrid, with two difficult matches against Real Sociedad and Los Blancos up next. There is plenty left to play for, and lots of time for Barcelona to get back on track, but an improvement in play is needed to quiet the discontent and return to their confident, untouchable best. Saturday afternoon provided further evidence for the suggestion that Barcelona suffer from Messidependence given that the 0-0 draw against Malaga was the fourth time this season the Blaugrana have failed to win when the Argentine has missed all or part of the match, with only one of the following failures to win coming with him in the lineup.
Barcelona 1-2 Alaves (LaLiga Week 3): Second half substitute\
In the first disappointing result of Barcelona's season - the home defeat to newly-promoted Alaves - Messi was rested by Luis Enrique, before coming on for the final half hour, which proved too little time to prevent the loss.
Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid (LaLiga Week 5): Substituted due to injury
Against Los Rojiblancos, the No.10 suffered an injury in the 59th minute and had to limp off, after which the Catalan side surrendered their one goal lead.
Celta Vigo 4-3 Barcelona (LaLiga Week 7): Absent due to injury
As a result of that injury picked up against Atletico, Messi also missed the trip to Vigo, which ended in a 4-3 defeat as Arda Turan replaced him in the front three.
Man City 3-1 Barcelona (CL Matchday 4): Played the whole match
The only disappointment this season in which Messi played the full 90 minutes was the defeat in Manchester, when his opening goal was quickly cancelled out.
Barcelona 0-0 Malaga (LaLiga Week 12): Absent due to illness
A bout of vomiting ruled the Argentine out of the home match against Malaga and without him on the pitch - and with Luis Suarez also missing due to suspension - Luis Enrique's side could not break down the Andalusians' defensive wall.
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