UEFA Champions League 2018/19: PSV Eindhoven 1-2 Barcelona - 5 Talking Points

#3 Barca's lack of striking options is worrying

Messi played the striker role in Suarez's absence

Ernesto Valverde deployed Lionel Messi in a 'false nine' position against PSV, as Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele played in the wide attacking roles. The change in the system didn't work though, as Barca failed to show a lot of attacking fluency.

Luis Suarez is out for a couple of weeks with a knee injury, and the only other orthodox striker in the squad is Munir El Haddadi. The youngster is certainly not going to be thrust into high-pressure games in Suarez's absence and he did not even make the squad in Eindhoven.

Suarez's absence makes a huge difference to Barca's attack, and the lack of any obvious replacements is worrying. Recruiting in January is an option, as the depth will be needed as the season progresses. Perhaps keeping Paco Alcacer would not have been a bad idea after all.