Barca's flaws can't be hidden: They've got no confidence, discipline - and no goalscorers

Barcelona's recent poor performances have highlighted existing weaknesses in the team and exposed new ones that need to be addressed immediately. The team had two consecutive games where they were far from impressive. Although they managed to win against Real Sociedad with the help of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's saves and a last-minute goal from Ronald Araujo, they were unable to replicate their success against Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainians won 1-0, putting pressure on Group H of the Champions League. Barca has yet to secure a spot in the round of 16.

It is impossible to defeat a top-level team if the game does not flow naturally and quickly. Although the poor state of the Volksparkstadion grass did not help, Shakhtar is a creative team that knows how to move the ball fluidly in the final third. The problem lies more in the team's positioning and lack of confidence. Xavi's players need more than two touches on the ball, allowing the opposition to regroup without problems.

Barca has lost its nerve in the area where matches are decided. Even 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who should exemplify self-confidence, appears constricted and reluctant to take on his opponents, as with Balde on the left. Without courage, the opposition is not overwhelmed, turning the match into a series of harmless crosses into the area that is easy for powerful centre-backs and a confident and determined goalkeeper like Riznyk.

Nothing is worse for a football team than expending much energy on a physical sacrifice that yields no fruit. Barca displayed an attitude in Hamburg, and it would be easy to talk about relaxation, but they paid the price for their lack of coordination. Disorderly high pressures, with players chasing shadows, took their toll. The goal's action was the best example: 27 touches in 75 seconds until Sikan's header.

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The quadruple change in the 59th minute had a positive effect on Barca's period of pressure - but it was short-lived. A weak header from Gavi was their only shot on target. From that point, there was half an hour without anyone daring to take a dangerous shot, either from a medium distance or far away. And within the area, there is a dependence on Robert Lewandowski. He is the only natural goalscorer in Barca's squad. He is not in his best form after his injury, and he was marked well.

The Barca team that won La Liga title was reliable when playing with four midfielders and a recognizable defence without anarchic full-backs. It was unspectacular yet solid, without being unattractive. With the arrival of Joao Felix, Xavi returned to a more daring 4-3-3 formation, but with more gaps on the field, partly because Cancelo is a free spirit from the right side, for better or worse. Felix was a substitute in Hamburg, and it was evident that no one else could play on the left of the attack, which is a flaw in the team's strategy. Ferran, Raphinha, and Lamine were all uncomfortable in that area. It remains to be seen whether he is ready to start when De Jong and Pedri return. With Gavi and Gundogan fixed, it is time to return to the four midfielders, with Lewandowski up top and a winger, perhaps Felix, placing Gavi on the right instead of the left, as was done last year.