Things have not gone well for Barcelona since they lost to Real Madrid in La Liga just a few short weeks ago.
They went into that match with a big lead in the league, but a loss there was followed by another in the league against Real Sociedad, an unexpected exit from the Champions League at the hands of Atlético Madrid and finally another loss against Valencia on Sunday night.
The pressure of seeing their lead at the top of the table eroded (Atléti are now level on points with them) is beginning to tell on Neymar, who interrupted the celebrations of the Valencia players after the final whistle on Sunday night, creating a flash point just before he walked off the pitch.
The cause of the problems plaguing the Catalan side was up for discussion in the press conference after the game, at which manager Luis Enrique was also rather terse with the assembled media.
A journalist named Victor Malo asked Enrique if the team's physical preparations were partly to blame for their slump in April. After introducing himself by name and stating that he worked for the publication Diario Gol, Enrique responded by asking "what was your last name again?"
When the journalist responded "Malo", which translates as 'bad' or 'terrible', the Barcelona boss simply said "That's right. Next question".
Speaking after their defeat to Real Madrid on Sky Sports, Michael Laudrup somewhat predicted the current slump that Barcelona are struggling through, highlighted that their final few fixtures may be trickier than first anticipated.
"Knowing Barcelona and the Catalans there will be a little doubt," said Laudrup, adding that "just one loss can create doubts, we will see".
With just five games left in the league, one of which is a local derby against Espanyol, things may get even more difficult for Enrique's side in the coming weeks.
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