Barça have yet to break their free kick drought since the departure of Lionel Messi

Xavi's Barça have improved in many aspects, but there are still areas of the game to be polished.

One such aspect is direct free kicks. It has been 15 months since the team last scored a goal from a direct free-kick.

Since the departure of Leo Messi, one of the most important avenues for scoring a goal has not been solved.

The last Blaugrana free-kick goal was on 2 May 2021 in Mestalla when Messi beat Cillesssen with one of his perfect shots to seal a 3-1 win.

This season, Barça have enjoyed four free kicks from the edge of the box. Raphinha has taken three of them and Ansu Fati the other one.

The bad streak remains unbroken, even though Xavi Hernández explained in pre-season that these actions are being rehearsed. The inclusion of two new options in Raphinha and Lewandowski can help a lot with their dead-ball scenarios.

The reality, however, is that Messi's 50th free-kick goal for Barça was the last one scored by the Barcelona side.

However, against Sevilla, the first goal of the season came from a strategic play after a corner. It was a short ball played by Dembélé to Raphinha, who crossed to the far post, Koundé laid it off and Eric Garcia put it in the net. It was a rehearsed move that came off perfectly.

Against Valladolid 14 corners were taken without success.