The Barcelona Era: Putting the Bayern Munich Tie in Context

There’s very little football supporters love more than a grand narrative, and in the Guardiola days, Barcelona were more than happy to oblige.

The Blaugrana became the gold standard of European football in Pep's four years at the helm with their slick, pretty football—aided in no small part by the ascendance of Lionel Messi. They captured and enraptured audiences with their style and artistry, but their resounding success and ever-growing tally of trophies cemented the story in the world's collective consciousness.

This season, on the other hand, has rather defied the simple summary.

Their early-season league exploits had them hailed as the best ever (though some—presciently?— disagreed). A midseason dip in form then put a major question mark on their season. The poor performances culminated in the defeat at the San Siro, with some proclaiming the "Barcelona era" all but over, before they played a truly scintillating return leg to complete an unlikely comeback.

With midseason woes behind them, it seemed they were well poised to bring home the La Liga and Champions League titles before another disastrous night at the Allianz Arena. What gives?

One should always be careful reading too much into any single result, or even an unlikely series of them. But the frightening fact for Barcelona supporters isn’t just the defeat to Munich—or to Madrid and Milan before—but that, for the first time in several years, teams have managed to completely outplay them.

Munich didn’t beat Barcelona in the manner of Inter Milan or Chelsea in years past, packing players in the defensive third and waiting for a chance on the break; far from it. They stifled Barca in midfield and outran them up front. They attacked relentlessly and they pressured high up the pitch. If they didn’t try to beat Barcelona at their own possession game, they came as close to fully controlling the match as any team in recent memory.

In other words, they learned from the best. Barcelona set the standard; while other teams are finally reaching it, Barcelona themselves are having trouble living up to it consistently.

Make no mistake, Barca have been stale at times this season, and other major European clubs have closed the quality gap. The days when Barca were head and shoulders above the rest are probably long gone.

Does that mean the Barca empire is crumbling? Far from it. Barcelona still have the best players—and best youth system—in the world. Some of Vilanova's men may be past their prime, but at the very least, Iniesta and Messi are right in the midst of theirs.

This just means European football will be a bit more interesting, and a bit more competitive, in the coming seasons.