Barcelona's woeful start of 2020 has extended to La Liga, where they lost their first game of the year under Quique Setién. This was the team's fourth away loss this season, which sets off the alarms among Blaugrana fans.
Things got off to a complicated start for the Catalan club, as Valencia was awarded a penalty kick due to a foul by Piqué. Luckily for them, Maxi Gómez missed the spot kick, but things did not improve for Los Blaugranas despite their impressive ball possession stats.
As the second half kicked off, an own goal gave Valencia the lead. Alba was at the wrong place at the wrong time to deflect a shot by Maxi Gómez, and while at it, he managed to earn a woeful record in Barcelona's history.
4 - Jordi Alba has scored four own goals in #LaLiga in the 21st Century, more than any other Barcelona's player in the competition. Unlucky#valenciabarca #Barcelona #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/ebZH8v90uT
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 25, 2020
The game progressed and Lionel Messi tried to change the tide in Barcelona's favor. Unfortunately, the striker was not accurate in front of goal, which had a massive effect on the game.
As the match approached its conclusion, Maxi Gómez drilled a well-placed shot into the lower left-hand corner of the net to seal things off.
But even then, Messi had the chance to give Barcelona a boost to try an epic comeback. He failed a couple of clear chances, which saw him reach one of the worst personal records in a single game.
11 - Lionel Messi has had more shots without scoring in a single #LaLiga's game in his Barcelona's career (eleven, level with vs Deportivo de La Coruña at Camp Nou in December 2017). Dismay#FCBarcelona#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/GdOam5HoNj
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 25, 2020
Now, Barcelona could lose the top spot in the league tomorrow if Real Madrid snatches a point away from José Zorrilla Stadium against Valladolid. Things have not started as everyone hinted under Setién, and the pressure could pile up on the club if Los Culés can't turn this bad start of the year around.