The precedents that make it clear that November is usually a complicated month for FC Barcelona

Would it be outrageous to say that FC Barcelona had in November 2024 the most unfortunate month regarding the 'Hansi Flick era'? In reality, no. Although the numbers still support the Blaugrana team and it cannot be fully claimed that they are submerged in a crisis, as they remain leaders in LaLiga EA Sports and competing for the lead in the UEFA Champions League, it is evident that November was not the most successful month for the Catalan team.

Despite a strong start with stellar victories against RCD Espanyol 3-1 (11/03) and Red Star 5-2 (11/06), Barcelona then faced four matches in which they managed just one victory, a 3-0 against Stade Brestois in the UEFA Champions League. However, before this win against the 'Pirates', the Catalans suffered a tough 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad at Anoeta and a surprising 2-2 draw against Celta de Vigo at Balaídos.

Although they slightly corrected their course by defeating the French team, they ultimately lost 1-2 to UD Las Palmas (11/30), extending their winless streak in LaLiga (three matches) and entering what many might label a 'mini crisis'.

Why has November historically been a tough month for Barcelona?

This particular slump, curiously, is not entirely strange for FC Barcelona. Historically, the club has experienced tumultuous Novembers. Although it hadn't happened in a while, with at least two decades of positive results for the Catalan team, Barcelona faced tough times between the 95-96 and 99-00 seasons.

For example, in the 98-99 season, Barcelona started the month with a harsh defeat 1-2 against Bayern Munich (11/04/1998) in the UEFA Champions League. In their activity in LaLiga, they also lost to Real Oviedo 2-1 (11/08/1998), achieving a 4-1 victory against CD Tenerife (11/15/1998), but then losing 1-0 against RCD Mallorca (11/21/1998).

In the UEFA Champions League, they drew 3-3 against Manchester United (11/25/1998), sealing their exit from the tournament. They closed the month with a 0-1 defeat against Atlético de Madrid (11/28/1998), possibly the worst November that Barcelona has experienced.

How did it go in the 1997-98 season?

In the 97-98 season, the month began with a 2-3 victory against Real Madrid (11/01/1997) in LaLiga, but then Barcelona suffered a tough 0-4 defeat against Dynamo Kyiv (11/05/1997), and two setbacks in the domestic tournament against Real Valladolid 1-2 (11/09/1997) and Athletic Club 3-0 (11/13/1997).

Although they achieved a good victory 3-2 against Celta de Vigo (11/16/1997), they suffered another defeat against Real Oviedo 1-0 (11/22/1998), closing the month with a 1-0 victory in the UEFA Champions League against Newcastle United (11/26/1997).

In the 1999-00 season, the situation did not improve much either

Despite these disastrous months in the 97-98 and 98-99 seasons, FC Barcelona managed to become champions in both years. However, in the 99-00 season, the last of Louis Van Gaal's first stint as head coach, things did not go as well and the team did not secure the league championship. In a month with five matches, three in LaLiga, they lost all, falling to Málaga 1-2 (11/07/1999), Valencia 3-1 (11/20/1999), and RCD Mallorca 3-2 (11/28/1999), with two draws in the UEFA Champions League, 3-3 against Fiorentina (11/02/1999) and 1-1 against Hertha Berlin (11/23/1999).

FC Barcelona doesn't do well with anniversaries every 25 years

Anecdotally, Barcelona seems to have a sort of 'curse' on its anniversaries every 25 years, losing the official match that immediately follows its birthday, winning only one of them. For example, on its 25th anniversary, Barça suffered a 0-1 defeat against Terrassa in 1924.

Additionally, on their 50th anniversary, they lost 1-2 against RCD Espanyol, but achieved a 4-0 victory against Celta de Vigo on their 75th anniversary. On their 100th celebration, they fell 0-1 against Atlético de Madrid, and on the 125th anniversary, they lost 1-2 to UD Las Palmas.