Yesterday "Barcelona" once again lost to Madrid's "Real" and allowed them to celebrate the Spanish Super Cup. This is another blow to the Catalans after Neymar left them.
The "Royal" club, without their second consecutive UEFA Champions League title last year, also won the "La Liga" championship, preventing "Barca" from extending their streak to three.
It might seem like it's not a tragedy, as "Real" is also one of the biggest clubs in the world, but several facts show that "Barca" losses were not random and tough times are ahead.
Here are some facts:
- Ernesto Valverde became the first "Barcelona" coach in over 30 years to lose the first two season games. In 1987, Luis Aragones also had a poor start to the season.
- Valverde also became the first coach after Frank Rijkaard to lose two consecutive "El Clasico" matches.
- Yesterday, the Catalans failed to score a goal in an "El Clasico" match for the first time since 2011. Until now, they have scored in 25 consecutive matches against the top Spanish clubs.
- In yesterday's match, "Barca" only had 47% ball possession - the first time in 31 "El Clasico" matches that the possession did not exceed 50%. The previous match took place on May 7, 2008.
- In the first leg of the response "Supercopa" match, the Catalans only had one shot towards goal.
- The five-time best footballer in the world also failed to score against "Real" in the Super Cup match for the first time.
- Even Gerard Pique admitted that for the first time in nine years, Madrid's "Real" is a better team than "Barca".
Barcelona's August so far:
- 3rd: Lose Neymar to PSG
- 13th: Lose to Real Madrid
- 16th: Lose to Real Madrid
- 17th: Suarez injured for a month
