The FC Barcelona players know they don't have enough to compete with fierce rivals Real Madrid this season, according to a former player.
After finishing ten points behind Los Blancos in the 2023/24 campaign, the Catalan giants will be aiming for a good start against Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday.
Dani Olmo remains Barcelona's only new signing heading into the new season and former player Emmanuel Petit has painted a worrying picture for the supporters.
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"They are stuck. They cannot do anything without selling players," Petit told Football Espana.
"They are so many positions where they need reinforcements, but they can't sign anyone because of their financial problems.
"I saw the game against Monaco – they were thrashed. Defensively, they were poor. If they continue to play like that, they won't be able to compete against Real Madrid this season. I think supporters will be very worried after watching that match.
"The players will know that they don't have the capabilities to compete against Real Madrid this season. Barcelona have aging players – Lewandowski, Gundogan. They are important, but they are not the future.
"And this is another problem, as they don't have many players that they can sell, aside from some of the younger players like Lamine Yamal – but they will be desperate to keep him and others."