BARCELONA’S three defeats this season all have one thing in common — there was no Andres Iniesta in the starting XI.
Despite reaching the age of 32, he still makes the Catalans tick.
Iniesta is currently in the middle of a sustained spell on the sidelines following a knee injury in the victory over Valencia.
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After he was taken off in that match, Barcelona eventually won through a stoppage time Lionel Messi penalty.
And they have since narrowly beaten Granada at home 1-0 in what was supposed to be a celebration of the 1,500th competitive match at the Nou Camp before being blitzed by Manchester City at the Etihad.
Luis Enrique has been managing his No.8’s games to ensure he is ready for the big occasions.
He was rested for the seemingly simple clash with Alaves at the Nou Camp, which Barca inexplicably lost 2-1.
While he was half-time introduction at Celta Vigo, with his side already 3-0 down. They eventually lost 4-3.
Barcelona’s situation with Iniesta is a little similar to Paul Scholes at Manchester United in that evidence of how important they are is only clear when they not there any more.
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The little superstar has been at the club for 20 years — and a first team member for over ten years.
He is the most decorated player still active with eight La Liga titles, four Spanish Cups, seven Spanish Super Cups, four Champions Leagues, three Fifa World Club Cups and three Uefa Super Cups.
But Barcelona’s reliance on Iniesta is a stark realisation of how La Masia has failed them in recent years.
In 2011, Pep Guardiola led the club to Champions League success with ten academy graduates in their squad.
Four of them — Gerard Pique, Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Messi — still make up the core of the team now.
Since then, the club have been forced to spend big to strengthen, as no other youth product has been good enough.
Right-back, Sergi Roberto is no Dani Alves.
Barca have spent big on the likes of Neymar and Luis Suarez in the past — but even their recruitment has been suspect in recent seasons.
Summer signings Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes and Paco Alcacer have not been up to scratch — with the former three horribly out of their depth at the Etihad, and the latter yet to score.
There is no doubting the quality of Barcelona’s front three and general starting XI.
But the absence of Iniesta has highlighted that the squad is extremely fragile — with the cover just not good enough.
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