It’s not just the egos, it’s many other things

Barcelona’s start to the season has been far from what the club and its supporters had hoped for.

On paper, the numbers are not disastrous: seven points from three away matches is a tally that most clubs in Europe would gladly accept. Yet Barcelona is no ordinary club, and the expectation is not only to win but to dominate, to convince, and to build momentum from the very first whistle of the campaign. Instead, what has been seen on the pitch has been unconvincing and at times worrying. The performance against Mallorca was overshadowed by the early dismissal of two opposition players, which effectively ended the contest after half an hour, and still the team drifted through the second half without intensity. Against Levante, the first forty-five minutes were described by many as embarrassing, and against Rayo Vallecano the team lacked ideas, struggled for rhythm, and were only saved from defeat by goalkeeper Joan García.

Hansi Flick, brought in to restore order and instill discipline, has made no secret of his displeasure. He has been unusually candid in his press conferences, pointing publicly to the egos of certain players and criticizing their lack of commitment. After the match in Mallorca he underlined how the second half had been played with little desire, stressing that Barcelona cannot afford to coast through matches regardless of the circumstances. His words reflect a deeper concern, not only about form but about mentality, which has often been a weakness for the club in recent years.

The frustration is amplified by the fact that the team had every reason to expect a strong start. The aim was not seven points but nine, and with the hope that Real Madrid might stumble early, Barcelona wanted to seize the opportunity to take an immediate lead in La Liga. The planning had been meticulous. While Madrid were busy contesting the Club World Cup, Barcelona had already returned to training, giving Flick more than a month with a full squad before the season began. The preseason was carefully designed, focusing on tactical adjustments, fitness, and squad cohesion, with the intention of avoiding the sluggish starts that had hindered past campaigns. For weeks it seemed that everything was falling into place, yet when competitive matches arrived the theory collapsed into disappointing reality.

One of the most glaring problems has been in defense. The departure of Iñigo Martínez was underestimated by many. Beyond his quality as a defender, his influence inside the dressing room, particularly over younger players, was invaluable. Without his presence, the back line has looked fragile. Ronald Araújo and Pau Cubarsí, expected to form a reliable partnership, have made a series of costly mistakes, especially in the match at the Ciutat de Valencia. Miscommunication and lapses in concentration have led directly to goals conceded, undermining the team’s confidence. Jules Koundé, who was supposed to anchor the defense, has had a sluggish start, losing his place to Eric García. Although García has performed more consistently, the fact that he has overtaken Koundé so early in the season highlights how uncertain the defensive structure has become.

The midfield, long considered the heart of Barcelona’s identity, has also underwhelmed. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong have not been poor, but they are far from the brilliant level they displayed at the end of last season. Their inability to impose themselves has left the team without the same control of possession that once defined Barça’s play. The substitutes have fared no better. Gavi, still recovering his rhythm after injury, has been quiet, while Marc Casadó and Fermín López, who were given opportunities to show their worth amid rumors of possible departures, failed to take advantage. They were barely noticed on the pitch and did nothing to convince Flick that they deserve a regular place in the starting eleven. What was supposed to be a position of strength has instead looked inconsistent and lacking depth.

These problems point to broader issues that go beyond tactics or individual form. Flick’s repeated emphasis on mentality speaks volumes. Too often in recent years Barcelona have lacked the urgency, resilience, and collective discipline required to compete at the highest level. Matches that should be comfortably won turn into struggles, not because of a lack of talent, but because of lapses in focus and desire. Against rivals like Real Madrid, who rarely forgive mistakes and who thrive on consistency, such weaknesses become decisive. It is this comparison that makes Barcelona’s current struggles even more painful. Madrid’s ability to grind out results and maintain composure contrasts sharply with Barça’s tendency to falter.

The concern is not that Barcelona have taken seven points from three games, but how those points were earned. The performances suggest fragility, disorganization, and a lack of killer instinct. For a team that planned meticulously to hit the ground running, the reality has been a disappointment. Flick must now find answers quickly. He needs to restore defensive confidence, reinvigorate his midfield leaders, and address the attitude problems he has hinted at. Perhaps most importantly, he must rebuild the sense of unity and purpose that seems to have eroded.

Supporters, meanwhile, are growing restless. The club has spent heavily in recent years while balancing financial challenges, making difficult sacrifices in the transfer market to remain competitive. The expectation was that this season would mark a turning point, a fresh start under a new manager with a clear philosophy. Instead, the first impressions have been of inconsistency and underperformance. Seven points may look respectable in the table, but for Barcelona, the underlying story is one of a missed opportunity and an uncertain future.