Barcelona don't start well, don't react and haven't improved in terms of performance or overcome the mistakes that are condemning them throughout the season.

The 3-3 draw against Granada, second last in the table, in Montjuïc is the umpteenth confirmation that the team just can't find any sort of consistency when it comes to results or performance.

As a result, nerves, concern, tension and doubts have taken hold of the club, especially in the board of directors headed by Joan Laporta. The president, whom fans are beginning to point out as one of the culprits of the situation, expressed his anger after the clash against Granada this past weekend.

He could not and would not hide his irritation, but he will not take action. For the time being anyways. The key match will be against Napoli, also in crisis, in the Champions League.

Despite the fact that no one wants to give up, in the dressing room and in the board of directors the LaLiga is already considered lost. Not only because Real Madrid, the leaders, are already 10 points ahead and seem uncatchable, but also because they don't believe Barcelona are capable of a historic final stretch of the season that would allow them to close a gap so big that has never been surpassed before.

What really concerns them now is: securing a Champions League place for next season (the most ambitious objective is second place) and, also and above all, getting past the round of 16 of the continental tournament against Napoli. The first match will be played on the 21st, in Italy.

Disgust at the shouts against Laporta

The president has been in contact with those close to him in the last few hours and there is agreement that the situation is serious and worrying, but also that it is not the time to make decisions, although the fact that part of the Culé fans turned against the board and specifically against the president has generated discomfort, displeasure and nerves.

There was already criticism, by some fans, against the president after the defeat in Montjuïc against Villarreal, and that was repeated against Granada. There is great fear that they will spread and that the lawyer will be the one to blame for the crisis, especially now that Xavi has stepped aside by announcing his departure in June. But the next matchday is away as Barcelona play on Saturday in Vigo, which should provide some relief.

🎙️ Xavi analyzes the 3-3 draw with Granada. pic.twitter.com/ZOoDV67XZV

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 11, 2024

Just a few days ago, Laporta accepted the coach's decision to continue until the end of the season and will give him continuity, because, as he said, it is about him. But the credit isn't unlimited and in that sense the Champions League tie against Napoli will be key.

Before the next home game, against Getafe on the 24th, the Culés return to the continental tournament. That game will be decisive for the coach and for the club. The stakes are high at all levels.

On a sporting level, not getting through the round would damage the image of the club and would further complicate the possibility of playing in the Club World Cup; on the economic side, it would not only mean the loss of the 9.6 million that comes with passing the round of 16, but it would also mean going into a negative balance since the azulgrana board budgeted to reach the quarterfinals.

On a psychological level, it would be a setback that would weigh down the dressing room in the final stretch of LaLiga; while Laporta's standing would suffer and also be notably harmed.

Napoli's crisis

However, Barcelona are confident of going through the tie because, although they know the struggles of Xavi's team, their opponents are going through a terrible moment as well.

Napoli sit ninth in Serie A and despite the change on the bench, Mazzarri replaced Rudi Garcia, the team hasn't improved.. This past matchday they lost 1-0 to AC Milan.