FC Barcelona: Is It in Better Shape in 2013 Than in 2012?

The first month of 2013 ended with comparisons for FC Barcelona within one year. Is FC Barcelona in better shape in 2013 than in 2012?

The purpose of this article is to compare the achievements of Barca within these years to arrive at a conclusion.

2013

The year 2013 is just beginning for FC Barcelona in La Liga and Copa Del Rey. According to the FC Barcelona webpage, Barca has five victories, one draw, and one defeat.

There was no reason for the draw in the Copa Del Rey match against Malaga. Barca’s defeat in the hands of Real Sociedad was inexcusable as well.

According to an article written by Stefan Coerts and published in Goal, Barca Defender Adriano admits that goals are conceded.  Adriano admitted that La Blaugrana must attempt to counterattack in matches and concede fewer goals.

Lionel Messi started the year when he crossed the 200-goal barrier in La Liga, according to the FC Barcelona website. He accomplished this after scoring four goals against Osasuna.

According to the same website, Messi scored 202 goals within 235 matches. His goal scoring average is 0.85 per match.

2012

FC Barcelona won at least 51 matches during calendar year 2012. The most memorable event of the year 2012 was the UEFA Champions League match between Barca and Bayer Leverkusen.

Messi became the first footballer to score five goals within one UEFA match. The result was a seven point victory for Barca over Bayer Leverkusen.

Messi became La Blaugrana’s top scorer when he broke Cesar Rodriguez’s record of 232 goals. Messi made Barca history again scoring 92 goals within the year 2012.

During the 2011/12 La Liga season FC Barcelona managed not to concede goals within 32 matches. In spite of this record, during an interview with Cadena Cope h/t to Goal Sergio Busquets admitted that Barca conceded too many goals.

Conclusion

It is still too early in 2013 to compare FC Barcelona today with 2012. The only change appreciated within one year was the change in manager.

The beginning of 2012 saw Pep Guardiola in charge of La Blaugrana. Tito Vilanova began the current year as the Barca manager after replacing Guardiola last summer.

It remains to be seen if Vilanova remains manager during 2013. Vilanova recently traveled to the United States for a second opinion about his parotid gland cancer.

What could transpire from this latest health news may be another changing of managers. It remains to be seen what 2013 may bring to FC Barcelona.