Barcelona has been scoring goals like crazy lately. But there’s one big problem: playing in lunchtime matches. They have not done well at all when the games start at 2 PM.
Even though their performance during other times looks great, their lunchtime record is concerning. Ahead of the match against Alaves, coach Hansi Flick was asked if he would change his routine since it’s an early game. He shrugged it off, saying the team’s preparations will mostly stay the same, though he admitted some adjustments might be necessary.
Despite Flick’s laid-back attitude toward match times, the stats tell a different story.
What Does the Record Show?
This season, Barcelona lost a surprising match to Las Palmas, marking another negative outcome during lunchtime games. What should have been a celebration of the club’s 125th anniversary turned into a letdown, with Barcelona losing 1-2.
Looking back, Barcelona’s record in lunchtime matches is poor. Out of five games played at this time in recent seasons, they have managed to win just once. In the 2020-21 season, they enjoyed a 4-0 victory over Osasuna. However, that same season, they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Cadiz at home.
The following seasons didn’t see much improvement either. In the 2022-23 season, they drew 1-1 against Espanyol, followed by another 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano in the current 2023-24 season.
This pattern clearly shows that Barcelona struggles to perform at their best during midday games. Flick has some thinking to do as he prepares his team for the next match. While he might not believe in luck or superstition, the numbers tell a tale that he cannot overlook.
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