A Decade Later: The Stat That Highlights Barcelona's Complete Blackout
For the first time in 10 years, the Blaugrana team failed to register a single shot on target in an entire match. Power outage.
The Barcelona of Hansi Flick suffered a major setback on Sunday, losing the attacking momentum that had been one of its main strengths this season. The team, once seen as an offensive powerhouse capable of dismantling any opponent, struggled without its star player, Lamine Yamal, who was sidelined with a right ankle injury. This was strikingly similar to the team's only other loss in La Liga this season, against Osasuna (4-2), where Yamal was also absent from the starting lineup.
Without the 17-year-old talent, Barcelona looked hesitant, disorganized, and, at times, lethargic in attack. The team’s inability to generate significant goal-scoring opportunities was summed up by a stat that perfectly encapsulates their chaotic performance: zero shots on target.
This meant that Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro had one of the easiest games of his career, not having to make a single save. To be fair, Remiro did manage to stop a clear goal-scoring chance when a rebound from Aramburu diverted a cross from Fermín López, but other than that, the Barcelona attack was nonexistent.
This was the first time in over 10 years that Barcelona failed to register a shot on target in a match. The last instance occurred in September 2014, when Luis Enrique's Barcelona could not manage a shot on goal against Málaga. Since that game, the club had always managed to hit the target at least once in every match.
Even more surprising, this is the first match of the season in which Barcelona failed to score. Up until now, they had always found the net, even in losses (scoring against Monaco and Osasuna). Under Flick, Barcelona had become the top-scoring team in Europe, with a remarkable tally of 55 goals in 16 matches prior to this game. In fact, their offensive firepower had been the hallmark of their play, with seven consecutive games where they scored three or more goals, including impressive victories over teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
However, on this day at the Reale Arena, despite having 11 shots, none came close to testing Remiro. And in the only moment when they did manage to find the back of the net, Robert Lewandowski's goal was controversially ruled offside by VAR, adding to the sense of frustration.
Barcelona now faces a daunting challenge as they try to recover from this humbling defeat. Flick’s side had been the epitome of attacking brilliance, but this performance exposed a vulnerability that was previously hidden. The question now is whether Barcelona can regain their form and return to being the offensive juggernaut they were earlier in the season. The loss to Real Sociedad serves as a stark reminder that without their key players, the team can struggle to find their rhythm.
