Lionel Messi was almost unrecognizable and so was Barcelona as a rare defeat by Atletico Madrid on Saturday cast further doubt over the direction of the Ronald Koeman project.
Atletico had not beaten Barca in the league since 2010, their 1-0 win at the Wanda Metropolitano a timely affirmation that they are contenders and arguably now favorites to win La Liga.
For Barca sitting 12th, albeit with a game or two in hand over some of those above them, the immediate blow of a third league defeat in eight games was compounded by a knee ligament injury to Gerard Pique, which leaves Koeman with only one fit central defender.
But perhaps more concerning is the sense that Koeman’s Barc…
Keep on reading: Barca drifts, Messi disillusioned as Koeman renovation yet to convince