Earlier this summer when Leo Messi was attempting to get released by his club in order to compete in the Olympics, the Barça bosses said that they could not afford to lose him because of important Champions League matches during the Olympics.
Well, if yesterday was any indication, Messi can spend a good amount of time away from the club and they will be just fine. Samuel Eto'o netted a brace and Xavi and Thierry Henry also scored in Barça's 4-0 win against Wisla Krakow.
Was this the game they needed Messi for?
Sure, it's always good to have your best players. But this was a chance for new coach Pep Guardiola to get a feel for his other players and give some of the newcomers a chance to prove themselves.
This was just another step forward for the Spanish giants in their quest to put last season's disappointing run behind them. They are doing well thus far—smoking every opponent they have faced.
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It will be interesting to see with which lineup Barcelona starts the season. They have so much new talent and many players that can be successful at every position on the field.
One worry that plagued Barcelona last season and could come up again is their defense. They have four strong players at the back, but because of their preferred 4-3-3 format they do not have the midfield help and the back line is often left alone.
Barça is at their best when their midfield and forward players are controlling so much of the ball that it does not matter because the opposing team never has the ball enough to be dangerous.
The real tests for this team will come once La Liga and the Champions League seasons begin in earnest and we see how this team responds to adversity—exactly what caused so many problems last season.
If the preseason means anything, though, Barcelona is going to be a team to be reckoned with in every competition this season.
I cannot wait for Dec. 14 at the Camp Nou for the first installment of El Clásico between Barca and Real Madrid.
Another note that I just come across in reference to Barcelona: Why are they going after Berbatov? Where would he play? Maybe on the six-man front line of Messi, Henry, Eto'o, Hleb/Gudjohnsen, Krkic, and Berbatov?
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3 months ago
haha, the six man front line, imagine a team that could sustain that formation. it surprises me how people doubt players of their calibre when one of them is missing. Messi is a great addition to any team but the team is fill of highly skilled players even in his absence. it seems the urgency could be back as it often is in situations similar to this. the boost from new strategies and mindsets could be just what this team is waiting on in order to recapture its recent glory.
from 3 months ago
Yeah I agree that the new mindset could be key and Guardiola will bring that. My worry is how he will manage all the egos on that team when there are not enough spots on the pitch for them all to play. It will be interesting to see what happens when they hit their first spot of adversity.
3 months ago
of course barca is doing good. they still got Henry and Eto'o!
from 3 months ago
Having Henry and Eto'o last season was much more a burden than a blessing.
from 3 months ago
I'd probably agree with you Dakota, but that was last season. From what little I've followed Eto'o in the preseason he seems to just be on fire. And Thierry Henry is Thierry Henry, everyone says he had a bad campaign last season, and I'd be pretty pleased with myself if 12 goals was a bad campaign...
from 3 months ago
Yes, that was last season. They seem to have gotten their act together this season.
3 months ago
I really think teams worry about injuries rather than one particular game. If Barca were truly worried about the team they just played against during the Champions League qualifier, then that would mean they have worst problems than trying to keep Messi from playing. Does anyone really think that they would have a hard time competing in early stages against minnow teams? Do Barca really think that? My answer is a definite no. They are just wanting to protect their big name players so they can be ready for the next season.
from 3 months ago
Very good point Neil. After last season—when Messi was injured for over a month—that has to be a concern. Great comment. Thanks
3 months ago
One player doesn't make a team and all that jazz:P
3 months ago
I seem to remember Barcelona getting all the credit from the press for their canny acquisitions last year (anyone recall the Fantastic Four?) and they had a pretty good preseason as well. We all know what happened afterwards. I really want to see how Guardiola copes with the huge pressure he will be under. He will have a honeymoon period for a while, but it's results, results, results at the top clubs. To be fair, they gave Rijkaard a good run before his squad started to really click together, but there's a lot more turmoil in the boardroom now than there was then.
from 3 months ago
Last year there was nothing canny about our transfers, all that is similar to last year is in the quickness to which we bought...
We have bought players known to the ways of La Liga for the most part and that will help compared to last season...
This pre-season we have warmed up well, nothing different to any other, but we have threat in our side like no other, we will see how we are at Xmas and then make the call... a lot depends on the back 4 (as it will for Madrid after last years performances) going forward is second nature we must defend like no other season and Pep is emphasising this...
I have never seen the Barca players worked so hard pre-season before we are very fit...
We have bought well and have covered bases that were in need, in Barca the other night it felt electric once more, a new regime and a young coach with it all to prove...
Barca are the unknown once more and that is dangerous and it feels great...
from 3 months ago
I agree with both of you.
I think again the issue is going to be fitting all these pieces together. They may have made some good buys but I think they have too many good players at too many positions and not enough at the back. I know having a surplus of players is good but not when they have huge egos like many of the players for Barca do.
That being said I think they will get off to a great first half but I question how long Pep can hold things together.
As you say Alby it will be interesting to see where we are at come the new year.
This is a very dangerous team to the rest of La Liga but also to themselves.
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