Barcelona: 11 Things Blaugrana Must Do to Win Champions League Next Year

Twelve days ago, Barcelona were hot favourites to make their second consecutive Champions League final whilst victory over Real Madrid at Camp Nou would have also thrown La Liga wide open.

How things change in football—arguably the best manager in the world has now announced his resignation as only a win in the Copa del Rey will stop the Catalans being trophy-less in 2012.

What is for certain is, there will be considerable wounds to lick during the summer in order for Barcelona to come back stronger than ever.

But what must they do to win the Champions League next year?

Here are 11 suggestions.

11) Don't Make Wholesale Changes

There are suggestions that Barcelona could be set to sell a host of big name stars in the summer.

Although one or two may go, history is in favour of making gradual and not wholesale changes overnight.

The likes of Gerard Piqué, Cristian Tello, and Adriano have all been linked with moves away but it may be wise to let things settle down in the wake of Guardiola's exit.

You don't become a bad team overnight.

10) Vilanova Must Be His Own Man

Guadiola's long time friend and a highly respected coach in his own right, Tito Vilanova, has arguably the best and worst job in all of football.

He has inherited the best club in the world, but following his ex-boss and coping with the huge expectation will not be easy.

Vilanova will have to stamp his authority early, but in the right way. Make too many changes and the knives will be out very early. 

9) Barca Board Must Release Funds for Signings

There should be some financial backing for Vilanova to make a fresh onslaught on next season's Champions League.

With question marks over David Villa and Alexis Sanchez, the signing of long-term target Neymar would give the club a huge lift going into next season.

A potential partnership with Messi could be explosive and would give the fans some renewed optimism after a hugely disappointing last two weeks.

Jordi Alba and Thiago Silva are also be names on the wanted list that could come to fruition. 

8) Must Keep Midfield Trio Happy

Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Xavi still remain integral to Barcelona's future success and must be treated with the utmost respect.

Of course, there will be times when there are dips in form and fitness, but the three have been there for the majority of success under Guardiola and should remain at the club for many years to come.

There will always be the temptation to bring in new blood, but experience is key to winning and these guys all know what it takes to win trophies—especially the Champions League.

7) Don't Get Embroiled in Mind Games

There will be plenty of mind games coming from Madrid—especially with a new manger in place.

Mourinho has already had an eye gouging confrontation with Vilanova earlier this season while claiming he did not know who the coach was.

Expect plenty more from the ex-Chelsea boss whose team will again be the main contenders for Champions League glory.

Vilanova can't let himself be distracted from the task in hand. 

6) Keep the 4-3-3

Despite the start of a new era, Barcelona must not ditch the formation that has terrorised world football.

There will always be slight variations to the team because of the direct pressing game they play, but with their defensive line playing so high and being so successful, there is no need to change for the sake of it.

Don't try and fix something that isn't broken.

5) Cesc Fabregas Needs to Step Up

The transfer saga of Cesc Fabregas finally ended last summer as he eventually left Arsenal in a huge $50m deal.

The Spaniard hit the ground running and was unstoppable during the first half of the season but has worryingly tailed off when Barcelona needed him the most.

Fabregas has spent a fair amount of time on the bench under Guardiola and was poor in the second leg against Chelsea last week.

An unused sub during Barca's 7-0 drubbing of Rayo Vallecano, Fabregas will need to step up his game for Barca to get back to a Champions League final.

On song, he could be a huge asset to Vilanova. 

4) Players Must Support Their New Boss

It was evident just how attached the squad were to Guardiola when they sat in the Spaniard's press conference to announce his resignation.

Many of the senior players looked visibly upset and still in shock despite knowing the decision the day before.

But they have to get back down to the task in hand and play for their new boss.

The must work just as hard and not relax because Guardiola is no longer at the helm.

There is always a temptation to take the foot off the pedal when someone has left, but the intensity must be doubled if they are to regain the Champions League title.

3) Using Strength from the Surgery Table

Although many think Vilanova's hardest task will be to win the Champions League, the Spaniard has already overcome the biggest challenge of all—having a life threatening tumour removed last year.

The 42-year-old had the procedure at the Hospital Vall d'Hebron to remove a tumour found on his parotid gland, the largest of of the salivary glands.

Barcelona didn't say too much about the operation at the time, but it was potentially very serious indeed.

Vilanova can take strength from beating a life threatening tumor and use it to take the club forward with his own vision.

2) Sign a New Left Back

Whether Abidal leaves or finishes his career at Barcelona, he is not the force he once was.

Adriano has been up and down but is not good enough to be first choice.

If Barcelona can get someone like Gareth Bale, it would be a stunning signing.

Spurs have faltered recently and could well miss out on Champions League qualification.

Bale has since admitted that he could leave the club and Barcelona would be a fantastic match for the Welshman.

With Alves and Bale as wing-backs, Barca would have a great chance of winning next year's Champions League and many more to come.

1) Don't Change Messi

He is the best player in the world, plain and simple.

Sometimes, you do not need to touch perfection and Lionel Messi is as close as you're going to get.

But even the best make mistakes and his penalty miss against Chelsea was a huge shock.

It will make the 24-year-old even more hungry to succeed next year and that bodes well for a new era of dominance at Camp Nou.