Barca needed a win to keep their strong lock on La Liga, as we’re starting to wind down this turbulent, yet exciting season of football. Coming to town was Betis, a club fighting Villarreal for Europa League football. As we approached the 80th minute or so, the blowout became a must watch experience though, as Lamine Yamal made his debut for Barca’s senior team, the youngest ever player to do so. The Camp Nou was raucous with excitement, as the Moroccan/Spanish winger made his way onto the legendary Camp Nou pitch, and potentially opened up a new chapter as a cornerstone for Barca’s future. His debut was exciting nonetheless, as Yamal almost scored a goal and gave two breathtaking passes that unlocked Betis’ defense.

Ferran Torres scored the match-winner as Barcelona secured another 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou. With this win, Barça edge closer toward the LaLiga title. Moreover, this win vs Atletico also stops the negative streak of results that Barcelona had in the last couple of weeks.   The first half saw Barcelona in control of possession, but Atletico had a couple of good chanced. However, just before the break, Raphinha found Ferran, and the Spanish winger scored the winner. Barça restore their 11-point lead over Real Madrid with just eight games to go.   Atletico’s 13-game unbeaten streak — stretching back to Barça’s win at the Metropolitano in January — came to an end. But Barcelona were close to scoring more vs Atletico. Gavi, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski all missed chances to seal the win earlier. Although Atletico also had their moments. On his return to Camp Nou, Antoine Griezmann hit the bar inside 40 seconds and was Atletico’s biggest threat throughout. Furthermore, the Frenchman also drew two saves from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who kept a 23rd clean sheet in 30 LaLiga games.

With a win, Barca would extend their lead atop La Liga to 15 points. And with the game at home, Barca truly couldn’t squander this golden opportunity. For Barca’s title hopes, this match seemed very important in terms of wrapping up La Liga as quickly as possible. A chance to go 15 points clear of Real Madrid certainly can’t be taken for granted, which is why many expected Barca to at least come out with energy and feistiness. But surprising to us, Barca came out with almost zero energy. Girona found it comfortable when they had possession, cycling around their own half with efficiency, while making Barca’s press look rather pedestrian.

It wasn’t the El Clasico we all hoped for. Far from it. Barça arrived to the game with many missing players. However, this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get a better result. Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Barça 4-0 to advance to the Copa del Rey final.

The BarcaBreakdown is back discussing FC Barcelona's 0-4 victory away against Elche in La Liga. Barca scored 4 goals: 2 by Lewandowksi and one each by Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres. FC Barcelona is now 15 points clear of Real Madrid, who Barca play in a Copa Del Rey El Clasico on Wednesday. Barca took care of business in an exciting way, with goals galore, and even some exciting minutes from Pablo Torre and La Masia prospect Aleix Garrido. Who by the way, is an intriguing midfield prospect that Xavi himself rates pretty highly.

BARCELONA are 12 points clear after beating Real Madrid in El Clasico! So happy to have BarcaBreakdown episodes with happy feelings. Lord knows it has been a long time.

The BarcaBreakdown  is back covering FC Barcelona's 0-1 victory at San Mames against Athletic Club Bilbao. Raphinha scored the games only goal with an assist from Sergio Busquets, as had happened last week for Barca. Marc Andre Ter Stegen continued to show he is the MVP of this Barcelona La Liga campaign, with massive saves to upset Ernesto Valverde taking on his previous club.   Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarcaBreakdown

The Barca Breakdown is back with FC Barcelona's 1-0 victory against Valencia at the Camp Nou. Raphinha scored a beautiful header from a nice Busquets assist. Ronald Araujo picked up a red card, largely due to a poor back pass from Jules Kounde. It looks like Araujo will only miss the Athletic Bilbao game, but there are worries he may have to miss the Clasico vs. Real Madrid as well.

BarcaBuzz TV is back discussing FC Barcelona's victory 0-1 against Real Madrid in Madrid. It wasn’t a stellar performance by the “Xavineta”. But in a way, the win tonight in ‘El Clasico’ was bigger than the 4-0 win last season. Mainly because the team had to play without the 3 best players in attack. And yes, it could never be a pretty FC Barcelona game at Madrid. However, the fact that the team collectively defended the lead and were able to win the game was impressive. Now, the team will have to keep holding the lead at the top of La Liga. Furthermore, in the 2nd leg the squad should be full again. And with Lewandowski, Dembele and Pedri at the Camp nou, we should expect more.

The BarcaBreakdown is back discussing the 1-0 loss of FC Barcelona vs. Almeria, with the worst performance of the season by Xavi's men. Lewandowski continues to struggle greatly, with very little impact on the game.   The rotations to rest Kounde, Araujo and Balde seemed to backfire as Almeria scored on a quick counterattack. Gavi again picks up a yellow, one that will cause him to miss the next game against Valencia in La Liga. We really, really miss Pedri and Dembele....

The BarcaBreakdown is back discussing FC Barcelona's 2-0 victory at Camp Nou against Cadiz. FC Barcelona remains 8 points ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga Title Race. Ferran Torres put in his first impressive performance in months and may be due to start against Manchester United with Gavi, Pedri, and Dembele out for the Europa League clash. Sergi Roberto also performed well, scoring a goal against Cadiz. Xavi seems to favor him as a midfield replacement without Pedri.

BarcaBuzz TV is back discussing the 2-2 draw between FC Barcelona and Manchester United in the Europa League. Raphinha led Xavi's Barca with a goal and assist, while Marcus Rashford scored along with a Joules Kounde OG. Xavi puzzled many before the game when he deviated from the strong Kounde-Araujo-Christensen-Balde back line, in favor of Marcus Alonso and Jordi Alba. Unfortunately, Pedri picked up a knock that may have him out for a month.

The BarcaBreakdown is back with Pablo Wools-Blanco (@pabloWBofficial) to discuss the FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United Europa League gaming coming up Thursday. FC Barcelona are on fire, as Xavi has lead the team to 0 losses so far in 2023. Barca fans are certainly feeling good about the team with Frenkie De Jong, Ter Stegen, Balde, Pedri, Kounde etc. playing at their absolute best for FC Barcelona. Unfortunately, Barcelona will be missing Ousmane Dembele and Busquets, though Kessie and Raphinha have replaced them well so far.   However, Manchester United are also looking very strong under Erik Ten Hag, with Marcus Rashford on absolute fire lately. As always, Casemiro will be a familiar foe for Barca at the Camp Nou Thursday. Lissandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer will be unable to play due to suspensions, they also have Christian Eriksen injured.   What do you predict will be the final score? Let us know in the comments!    Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarcaBreakdown https://twitter.com/PabloWBOfficial

The BarcaBreakdown is back breaking down FC Barcelona's 0-1 victory away against Villareal. Xavi's Barca went up 11 points over Real Madrid thanks to a beautiful connection between Pedri and Lewandowski for the game's only goal. With Sergio Busquets out for more weeks, and Barcelona's huge Europa League match against Manchester United coming up midweek, Xavi went with Kessie in the 4 man midfield alongside Frenkie De Jong, Gavi, and Pedri. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Barca_Buzz https://twitter.com/BarcaBreakdown

The BarcaBreakdown returns to discuss the HUGE 3-0 victory for FC Barcelona over Sevilla in La Liga. With Real Madrid dropping points to Mallorca earlier in the day, the Sevilla game at Camp Nou presented Xavi's Barca with a huge match to take an even bigger Liga lead. Unfortunately, Sergio Busquets was injured in the game's early minutes, requiring Kessie to come in and support Frenkie De Jong, Gavi, and Pedri. Jordi Alba, Raphinha, and Gavi all scored against Sevilla, cementing a wonderful second half in front of the Barcelona faithful. Follow me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BarcaBreakdown

The BarcaBreakdown is back discussing FC Barcelona's huge victory away at Real Betis in La Liga. Lewandowski and Raphinha both scored, with Alejandro Balde and Sergio Busquets putting in great appearances. Once again Pedri and Gavi looked great as Xavi's Barca continue to impress in 2023. Huge month of February with 2 games against Manchester United coming up in the Europa League! Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarcaBreakdown

The BarcaBreakdown is back discussing FC Barcelona's 1-0 victory away against Girona, thanks to a scrappy goal from Pedri. Unfortunately, Xavi's side were without Robert Lewandowski due to his last red card suspension, and Ousmane Dembele appeared to pick up a quadriceps injury. Pedri scored thanks to a Jordi Alba cross and a bit of fortune that Girona's goalkeeper missed the cross.

The BarcaBreakdown is back covering the FC Barcelona 1-0 victory against Real Sociedad in the Copa Del Rey Quarterfinals. A world-class performance from Ousmane Dembele, including a goal, helped carry Barca through to the Semifinals on a night when the whole team performed well. Unfortunately, Barca was unable to convert on great scoring opportunities by Lewandowski, Frenkie De Jong, and Gavi. Thankfully, Xavi said postgame that Pedri was substituted for a minor knock, but will be available this weekend. Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarcaBreakdown

The BarcaBreakdown is back with an FC Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad Copa Del Rey Quarter Finals preview. In their first meeting this season, Barca won 4-1 against La Real after a huge Ansu Fati substitution turned the game early in the season.

The BarcaBreakdown is back discussing the latest BOMBSHELL reporting from Gerard Romero....and from almost no one else. Romero is reporting Lionel Messi, World Cup Champion and FC Barcelona Legend, is reconsidering his contract renewal with PSG. Romero reports after the World Cup, Messi's priorities have changed. Will Joan Laporta attempt to get Messi back to Barca? Do you want Messi Back? Does Messi want to come back? Let me know in the comments!