The Barça faces a tough challenge with four difficult away games until the end of the year

The azulgranas have only managed to win half of their away matches this season (4 out of 8), and the upcoming fixtures will be against heavyweight rivals that will demand their best version. The recent draw in the Champions League against Bruges left concerning feelings once again. Despite the brilliant performance of Lamine Yamal, who was directly involved in all three goals of the team, Barça showed defensive fragility again and wasted another opportunity to secure an away victory.

Uneven performance away from home

Defensive problems have become a constant this season for the team managed by Hansi Flick, but they are even more evident when the team plays away from Spotify Camp Nou. In the eight away matches played so far, Barça has only achieved four victories: 0-3 against Mallorca, 2-3 against Levante, 1-2 at Newcastle, and 1-3 against Real Oviedo. A curious fact: in all those matches, the starting goalkeeper was Joan García. In the other four away games, the team has failed to win and, more concerning, has shown alarming fragility in defense. The draw against Bruges was just the latest example of this. The first time Barça stumbled away this season was in Vallecas, where they drew 1-1 against Rayo Vallecano. In that match, Joan García was key to rescuing a point. Additionally, the team´s two league defeats also came away from home: a tough 4-1 at Sánchez-Pizjuán against Sevilla and a 2-1 in the classic against Real Madrid.

Four finals away from Camp Nou

In contrast, Barça has been much more reliable at home. In their seven matches in Barcelona, they have only lost once —against PSG 1-2 in Montjuïc— and have accumulated five consecutive victories in LaLiga in addition to a resounding European win against Olympiacos. Before the year ends, the team faces a total of nine matches: five at home and four away. The matches at Spotify Camp Nou will be against Athletic Club, Deportivo Alavés, Atlético de Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Osasuna. On the other hand, the away games will be real tests: Celta in Balaídos, Chelsea in London, Real Betis in Villamarín, and Villarreal in La Cerámica. Four demanding outings that will serve to measure the true strength of Flick´s team and determine if the team can keep their aspirations intact in all competitions.

A key challenge for Flick

It is clear that if Barça wants to reach 2026 with real options to compete for titles, they need to improve their performance away from home. Achieving the same solidity they show in their stadium is one of Hansi Flick´s main objectives, who will need to find immediate solutions to such a demanding schedule. The first major challenge comes this very weekend in Balaídos, where the azulgranas will face a Celta de Vigo on a winning streak. A match that will mark the beginning of a crucial month to define Barça´s competitive future.