Problems at Can Barça that should be worrying for fans. Beyond the question of whether the type of football proposed by new coach Quique Setién is convincing or not, a matter of definite concern is when internal disputes occur. And we are not talking about senior management, the board or club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, but rather what is actually going on in the dressing room at FC Barcelona.
On Tuesday last week, three days after the defeat by Valencia at Mestalla, and having seen Real Madrid overtake Barça to move top of La Liga, there was a confrontation between two pivotal members of the squad during the morning training session. As sports daily As reported, during the final part of the session, while playing a match, two heavyweight team members faced each other down. What set it off: one player's decision to attempt a dribble which did not please his teammate, waiting to receive a pass.
The row between the two players - with no names revealed - ended with the two of them eye to eye. But despite the momentary explosion, calm was restored when other players intervened.
FC Barcelona
It was an incident that will do nothing to help the atmosphere of frustration currently surrounding the club, which is anxious for immediate results, precisely the most difficult challenge straight after a change of coach. Another fact that demonstrates the chilly mood in the dressing room is that in the last two games the captains Messi and Piqué (who give the pep-talks) have not called for the classic pinya, or huddle, which has been almost religiously observed as Barça players end their pre-match warm-up.