Barça fans point to the 4 people responsible for the debacle against Chelsea

Stamford Bridge left one of the toughest images of the season for FC Barcelona. The match between Chelsea and Barça caused enormous expectations due to the current form of both teams, and the result didn't disappoint in terms of intensity and competitive rhythm. From the very first minute, the match was thrilling, with quick transitions, physical clashes, and two very different styles that delivered a high-level spectacle, worthy of the Champions League.

Ferran Torres and Jules Koundé, in the photo

The first 20 minutes were extremely even, with a brave Barça that tried to take control and a Chelsea that looked to attack the spaces with speed. In that initial stretch, the clearest chance for the Catalans came with Ferran Torres as the main protagonist, who had the 0-1 at his feet in a very clear action. The "7" was left completely alone in the box and, with Robert Sánchez already beaten on the ground, sent the ball wide to the despair of the Barça fans.

The Valencian's miss shows that Deco still has work ahead: a Barça forward can't miss such a clear shot. The competitive demands require much greater efficiency, and these kinds of plays are what decide Champions League knockout rounds. Ferran let a golden opportunity slip away and, from that moment on, things got much more complicated for Barça.

Another player singled out was Jules Koundé, who delivered a performance far from the desired level for a Barça defender. He was imprecise in individual duels, lost his position in several transitions, and conveyed insecurity at key moments. His night ended in dramatic fashion with a bizarre and painful own goal, the kind that's rarely seen in elite matches.

The fans (and the stats) point to Ronald Araújo and Frenkie de Jong

However, despite the mistakes by Ferran and Koundé, Barça fans are clear that the two main players singled out in the match weren't them. Ronald Araújo and Frenkie de Jong left Stamford Bridge heavily criticized due to the repetition of a pattern that's already becoming concerning. The stats speak for themselves: with both on the field, Barça has only won 33% of its European matches, while without them the percentage rises to 66%.

In the case of Ronald Araújo, what happened last night once again showed a dangerous trend on big stages. First, he received an unnecessary yellow card for protesting, a result of tension and his excessive impulsiveness at certain moments. Minutes later, he committed a senseless foul on Cucurella, leaving the team with ten men before halftime and affecting Flick's entire game plan.

Frenkie de Jong didn't escape criticism either after a performance far from the level expected of him. His apathy when pressing, his slowness in ball circulation, and his little influence in midfield ended up frustrating Barça fans. The feeling is that Frenkie can't take that step forward that an elite midfield needs, especially on Champions League nights.

Social media were boiling after the match, with many fans directly criticizing Ronald Araújo and Frenkie de Jong. They believe both negatively affect the team in Europe and that their mistakes are repeated far too often.

The defeat against Chelsea reopens a debate that seemed closed, namely whether they should continue to be untouchable in big matches. The only thing that's clear is that the pressure is increasing and Hansi Flick will have to make important decisions if he wants Barça to compete with guarantees in the Champions League again.