Problem with no solution? Barça has conceded in 8 straight games

Hansi Flick still hasn't found the ideal formula for FC Barcelona's defense in 2025/26. Against Elche, the German once again opted for Ronald Araujo as center-back alongside Eric García, but the team was unable to keep a clean sheet for the eighth consecutive game.

Rafa Mir's goal in the 42nd minute was the 13th that Barça has conceded in the last 8 matches, 7 of them with Wojciech Szczesny in goal. The '10' of the Elche team broke the offside trap, starting a long run down the left from his own half.

Araujo was in charge of covering the Spanish winger, but his passivity in marking allowed Mir to position himself towards his left and fire a crossed shot, impossible for 'Tek'. In total, the Azulgrana team has conceded 17 goals in 14 games, with an average of 1.21 per match.

Barça still hasn't filled the 'gap' left by Iñigo Martínez

Of those, 12 have been conceded by Szczesny, while Joan García conceded 5 goals in 7 matches. In other words, both Barça goalkeepers have split their appearances evenly so far, with a clear difference in favor of the Catalan.

While 'Tek' has responded as a substitute, he has yet to keep a clean sheet. The one from Sallent, however, had 3 clean sheets before injuring his left knee in late September. In principle, the '13' could be medically cleared this week, although the coaching staff seems inclined to give him rest until after the break.

Beyond who's in goal, the truth is that rivals seem to have figured out Hansi Flick's advanced defense. Barça concedes too many clear chances in each match, and neither Araujo nor Cubarsí are going through their best moment. Jules Koundé, on the right, has also raised some doubts in recent weeks.

In that sense, the coaching staff has a lot of work ahead to regain confidence in the defense, which seems to have diminished since the departure of Iñigo Martínez. With the Basque player, there was more precision when playing the offside trap to disable rivals. 

The system remains the same, but the interpreters no longer have the same precision when applying it. With a defense constantly positioned near the midfield, any miscalculation in narrowing the space is lethal, leaving opponents one-on-one and facing the goal.

The 8 matches of Barcelona conceding in the 25/26

• Recommended links
• FC Barcelona statistics in the 2025/26 season
• FC Barcelona statistics in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26
• FC Barcelona Squad - 2025/26 Season