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Feature
- 7 May 2025
The Two Transfers Barcelona NEED to win the Champions League
Analysis
Barcelona have been eliminated from the Champions League by Inter Milan.
A year ago, Barcelona had already been eliminated from the Champions League. Then they fell at the quarter-final stage, losing to PSG.
And although Barcelona are a vastly different team than a year ago - when they were a disorganised group of chancers while now they are the top scorers in the Champions League and have arguably been the best team all season - there is a similarity.
That similarity highlights one of the two transfers that Barcelona must make this summer if they ever want to win the Champions League again: they need a left-back.
There are actually two similarities, the first being that the defeat was self-inflicted through stupidity (largely involving Ronald Araujo), but the second is the more salient point: they were eliminated because Alejandro Balde was injured.
STATS
Alejandro Balde
D (L)
Barcelona
Alejandro Balde
D (L)
Barcelona
No Balde No Party
This season Gerard Martin played instead of Balde, and although Martin did produce two devastating assists in the second-leg, Barcelona's concession of 7 goals across the tie can largely be put down to his presence.
Inter's goal 30 seconds into the first-leg comes because Martin doesn't have the recovery pace Balde possesses to beat Denzel Dumfries to the ball. Then doesn't have the defensive drive to get out and properly block the cross at source when Dumfries gets a second chance to send a ball in.
Inter's second goal comes because he loses an aerial duel to Francesco Acerbi, who heads a corner down for Denzel Dumfries to thump in.
Neither are entirely his fault, of course. Inigo Martinez and Pedri have to cop some blame for each goal, respectively. But Martin was so clearly a weak point that Inter targeted him over and over and got hooked off at half-time.
In the second-leg, they did the same again. Also, the move that leads to Inter's penalty started because Martin senselessly gave the ball away. And while he then got Barcelona back into the tie with two sublime crosses, he then proceeded to throw it all away with a criminally soft bit of defending against Denzel Dumfries with two minutes left to play.
Martin argues he was fouled, and perhaps he was, but it was a soft foul borne out of his own clumsiness as he tripped over the ball rather than controlling Marcus Thuram's poor through-ball that was directed right at him.
For Inter's winner, Ronaldo Araujo has been dragged way out of position to defend Marcus Thuram... why? Because Gerard Martin has not dealt with him.
Worse, when Thuram runs Araujo back towards the box, instead of racing over to block the cross Martin jogs then throws a half-hearted leg out, doing nothing but let Thuram's cutback go underneath his foot, leading to Inter's winner (he also just stands and watches Frattesi's shot rather than moving to impede him).
Then there's last season, where Balde missed the second half of the campaign with a serious hamstring injury and in his place, Joao Cancelo was horrendous against PSG.
With Barcelona 1-0 up on the night and 4-2 up on aggregate, they were in control. Ronald Araujo's red card had given them problems, but they had a nice lead to protect.
Cancelo then proceeded to give PSG the goals they needed. He failed to mark Dembele, letting him score PSG's first and give them the confidence they were lacking.
Then when PSG had levelled it up on the night, he senselessly fouled Ousmane Dembele in the box when the winger was posing no threat to anyone. Mbappe tucked the penalty away and PSG had a lead they wouldn't surrender.
Two seasons in a row where Balde, who seems like he'll always be vulnerable to hamstring injuries, has missed time and it has cost Barcelona.
What left-back can Barcelona sign?
Although Balde has great skill and dynamism as a dribbler, his primary attributes are that he is quick and he can defend. Barcelona's back-ups have had neither of these things and opponents have made them pay for it.
Barcelona must prioritise finding a left-back in the transfer market to provide a quality back-up to Alejandro Balde. They must have pace and they must be able to defend.
Tyrick Mitchell is a defensive powerhouse for Crystal Palace and, what's more, would be available on a free transfer this summer. He's no dribbling wizard like Balde, but if you want a back-up who is going to be able to defend his flank, Mitchell is the man.
If Barcelona wanted to spend a bit of money on the position (unlikely as they already have Martin) then they could take a gamble on Alexander Prass.
The Austrian is a left-back who looks dangerously comfortable in attacking zones and even central midfield. There's shades of David Alaba in his game and, given how Barcelona play, Prass could actually give Balde a run for his money to start. He could probably also offer some help in Barcelona's second position of need.
The second signing Barcelona need
The second signing Barcelona need to win the Champions League is a winger. A left-winger, to be precise.
Obviously Barcelona's starting two wingers are arguably the best in the world. Lamine Yamal is certainly in that conversation already at 17 and Raphinha is certainly producing goals and assists more than any other player in the world bar Mohamed Salah.
But behind them is an ocean of nothingness.
STATS
Raphinha
F, M (L)
Barcelona
Raphinha
F, M (L)
Barcelona
Dani Rodriguez is a La Masia graduate that has potential, but he has spent most of this season injured with hamstring trouble and dislocated his shoulder 30 minutes into his first-team debut at the weekend. So he's no option.
Barcelona ended their match against Inter with Fermin Lopez operating as a winger, with Raphinha shifted inside to cause problems there.
Fermin is no winger and it showed. Ferran Torres has also shown this season that he's only really effective in the middle. Ansu Fati can technically play on the wing but looks a ghost of himself, so poses no threat to anyone.
What winger can Barcelona sign?
Barcelona need an actual winger that they can use in such emergencies, or even use to rotate throughout the season and make sure that Lamine Yamal and Raphinha don't burn themselves out (both men have played over 4,100 minutes this season).
Obviously Nico Williams would be the dream signing here given his youth, quality and connection with the squad through the Spanish national team, but perhaps Marcus Rashford on loan is more realistic given the club's financial constraints.
Then a wildcard would be an option like Raul Moro. A 22 year-old Catalan speedster who is about to be relegated with Valladolid, but who has the raw talent and skill-set to thrive in a dominant team like Barcelona's. He would be exceptionally cheap and could provide reliable cover without hurting the wage bill too much.
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Read more about:
UEFA Champions League
La Liga
Barcelona
Alex Balde
Joao Cancelo
Lamine Yamal
Raphinha
