Barcelona seek response after back-to-back defeats to PSG, Real Madrid

Barcelona are looking to regroup after consecutive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid brought an abrupt halt to their impressive start to the season.

The Catalan club had won its first 11 matches across competitions, scoring 48 goals and conceding 11, and had found the net at least three times in 10 of those games. The run had put Hansi Flick's side in a strong position in La Liga and near the top of the Champions League standings.

But the team's first major tests exposed weaknesses. Barcelona lost 4-2 away to European champions PSG last Tuesday before suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to arch-rivals Real Madrid in Sunday's Spanish league clasico.

“In big games, the details are very important, and today they didn't go our way,” Flick said after the defeat to Madrid. “Defeats are part of football. We have to analyse what happened, do things better, and that's what we'll do.”

The defeat in Paris left Barcelona eighth in the Champions League league-phase standings after three rounds, occupying the final automatic qualification spot for the round of 16.

Sunday's clasico offered Flick's team an opportunity to make history. A victory would have made Barcelona the first team to win its opening 10 La Liga matches. The club had already equalled Real Madrid's record of nine wins from nine games, set in the 1968-69 season.

Instead, Barcelona struggled in front of their home supporters as Kylian Mbappe scored twice for Madrid. Raphinha scored Barcelona's only goal.

The result moved Madrid to within three points of Barcelona in the league standings, while Atletico Madrid remained two points behind the Catalan side after beating Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 at home on Saturday.

“What matters now is how we react,” Flick said. “We have to refocus. Everyone needs to make the right decisions. Rest properly, train well and respond to these defeats.”

Barcelona will look to get back on track against Alaves at home on Saturday before hosting Aston Villa in the Champions League next week.

Injuries add to Barcelona's concerns

Flick's immediate concern is the growing list of defensive injuries. Defender Xavi Espart was forced off in the first half against Madrid, adding to the absences of Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia.

Gerard Martin's mistake inside the penalty area had also contributed to Madrid's opening goal.

“The injuries are the biggest concern,” Flick said.

Barcelona's attacking players also struggled to impose themselves in the clasico. Lamine Yamal was below his best and missed a close-range chance in the first half that could have changed the course of the match.

Barcelona improved after the break and found an equaliser, but poor defending allowed Madrid to regain the lead through a late counterattack.

“We didn't play a great match overall. We weren't ourselves in the first half. There were many things we could have done better,” midfielder Pedri said.

“We were very slow and had many silly turnovers, and against these teams you pay the price. We need to improve if we want to keep moving forward.”