The good news for Barcelona is that they’re in the knockout phase of the Champions League for the first time in three seasons and that, while they’re facing the Italian champions, Napoli are nothing like the force they were last season. And… well, that’s about it. By every other metric – league form, finances, tactical development – they’re struggling.
Defeat to table-topping Girona followed by a1-1 draw at Valencia meant that Barca went into Christmas fourth in La Liga, seven points behind the surprise leaders.
