Barcelona: 7 Reasons They'll Be Stronger This Season Than Last

Barcelona had a great campaign last season.

Fans may prefer to remember the 7-0 aggregate drubbing against Bayern Munich, but that is to overlook much of what was worthwhile in 2012-13.

La Liga records in points haul and goals scored were just two highlights.

Add to that Lionel Messi's fourth Ballon D'Or and 21-game consecutive goal-scoring streak, plus semi-final berths in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League.

There were also a number of comeback wins that seemed beyond the team in previous seasons. The late, late show at Sevilla is one example, while the 4-0 victory over AC Milan in their Champions League second leg will live especially long in the memory.

So, how do you better that? Let's take a look...

Neymar

The signing of Neymar was a masterstroke, whatever the misgivings may be about the size of his transfer fee.

That the youngster comes with a healthy capacity for learning—as opposed to an ego that would perhaps befit his status as one of the world's best young players—is a huge positive for new boss Gerardo Martino.

The Brazilian has already shown glimpses of what he will offer Barcelona in an attacking sense, and the obvious threat he possesses will shift the focus from Lionel Messi.

Neymar will need to get used to the close attention he will face from opposing sides in La Liga, but there can be little doubt that the player is ready to take his career to the next stage.

Barcelona will be the chief beneficiaries.

Gerardo Martino

Gerardo Martino's greatest asset is that of being at one with his players, enabling him to transmit confidence to them, on and off the pitch.

Elvio Paolorroso said of Martino (via Alex Moretto of Goal.com):

"

He has an excellent relationship with all of his players, even with those who aren't playing.

He is very open and cheerful, and a good communicator. He likes to be close with his players and motivate them, and that is what distinguishes him in his leadership.

"

Tito Vilanova's illness last season—as well as Barca's natural dip in form without him at the helm—and subsequent and unfortunate resignation meant it was essential that the Barca board of directors appointed well.

Andres Iniesta, for one, is certain that Martino is the right man for the job (via The Guardian):

"

It's a good decision. I know him from the match in the World Cup in South Africa. He seems a good coach.

The club wouldn't have gone for a coach who doesn't fit in as they have clear ideas about what they want.

Every season we have to have high hopes of winning titles. I think he will fit in with our model.

If the club have decided on him, then he's the ideal coach for us.

"

With Lionel Messi also a confirmed admirer of his countryman's managerial style, a settled side playing for a manager who knows exactly what he wants augurs well for the coming season.

Paolorroso again:

"

Newell’s (Martino's old team) was very similar to Barcelona in terms of keeping the ball, rotation, passing and touch, and defence.

I think they were the most similar thing to Barcelona. I believe he is the type of coach who would adapt perfectly to the style of Barcelona.

Martino’s teams are forbidden to kick the ball anywhere; they always have to look for a team-mate, even if that means making intermediate passes.

His teams also require great mobility. When there is a correct tactical approach, there is an economy of effort.

Every player knows what he has to do and that economy of effort allows the player to cope better. The system allows for an economy of effort.

"

At the time of writing, the lack of a central defensive purchase is perhaps the manager's only worry.

In the space of only three weeks, Martino has already got Barcelona dancing to his tune.

Competition for Places

There are a few first-teamers who have got a fight on their hands for a spot this season.

That sort of competition can only be healthy for the evolution of the side.

After resisting the overtures of Manchester United and committing his future to Barcelona (per BBC Sport), Cesc Fabregas will be pushing extra hard for a starting berth.

Martin Montoya will certainly give Dani Alves a run for his money in the right-back slot, but perhaps the best tussle will come further up the right-hand side.

Pedro Rodriguez, Cristian Tello and Alexis Sanchez will all want to make the right-wing berth their own, but none has done enough to be considered a regular starter. Perhaps Pedro edges it with his previous contributions.

We have seen glimpses of Jean-Marie Dongou and Frank Bagnack during preseason, and these youngsters, who offer us a view of the Barcelona of the future, could well play themselves into the Barcelona of the present.

Martino has this group of players hungry again, which is a major plus point as we approach the start of the season.

Lionel Messi

Messi is still only 26 years old. 

The Argentine captain, who raises the bar of performance with impossible regularity, still has his best years ahead of him.

It's an utterly preposterous thought, yet the stats back up his incredible rise. He just gets better and better each season. 

Many times in the past, we've seen opposition defenders drawn to the Argentine like bees to a honey pot.

Those same defenders will think twice now for fear of being exposed down the left side by Neymar's trickery, which will provide ample diversion for Messi to break free of the shackles and deliver his best work.

The creativity of both players is going to be a frightening prospect for many defences this season.

The speed of Tello plus the industry of Pedro and Alexis should further enhance Messi's ability to break even more records. You are potentially looking at what could be the most potent Barca front three since Thierry Henry-Samuel Eto'o-Messi.

A glorious prospect.  

Elvio Paolorroso and Jorge Pautasso

It was inevitable that Martino's two trusted assistants would follow him to Camp Nou.

Strength and conditioning coach Paolorroso has worked alongside Martino for 14 years and enjoyed great success as part of his coaching team.

He is excited at the prospect of working in Spain, as he told RAC1 (h/t Alex Moretto, Goal.com):

"

What Barcelona represents in the world is something very big, and despite all the experience the members of his (Martino) technical staff have had, this is something almost dreams are made of.

Barcelona is a privileged place, so we are trying not be overcome by anxiety or excitement.

"

Assistant coach Jorge Pautasso has worked with Martino for a similar amount of time.

Since 1998, Pautasso has followed "Tata" to each and every workplace, and even turned down the position as coach of the Colombian national side to carry on working alongside Martino.

Between the two of them, Paolorroso and Pautasso will bring a freshness and new way of working to the training pitch.

Footballers are creatures of habit, but they are also bored easily. A lack of focus and attention to detail could harm Barca immensely. 

After years of the same routine under Pep Guardiola/Vilanova and then Vilanova/Jordi Roura, the change of personnel and training regimen may be just what the doctor ordered.

Formations and Style of Play

Tiki-taka.

It's what we have come to know and love about this Barcelona team. Expect more of the same, but also some changes.

Jen Evelyn of Inside Spanish Football identifies some of the tweaks we can expect Martino to make, including changing a 4-3-3 formation to a 3-4-3 while attacking.

Martino himself spoke with intelligence at his opening press conference, and as Stefan Coerts of Goal.com noted, the Argentine wants the team to play in his own image:

"

I want to find a style the players are comfortable with and also add my own personal touches, to introduce a few ideas of my own and make the team more complete.

My Paraguay team was nothing like the team we had at Newell's Old Boys [in terms of playing style]. I try to adapt to the qualities of the teams I am coaching and that is something I will look to do at Barcelona.

There are excellent footballers here, if we can return to the great ideas that Barcelona has had [in recent years], we will have a very competitive team.

The pressing that has been such a feature of this team is something I want us to get back. I want Barcelona to be a team that is comfortable in attack and that plays high up the pitch.

"

Less Pressure

Let's not kid ourselves.

There will always be pressure when playing for Barcelona, but this season, archrivals Real Madrid will be feeling it more than anyone.

Barca's brand of pessimistic fans are spreading their usual gloom, preparing themselves for a season of failure—yet in many respects the heat over at the Santiago Bernabeu could well play into Barca's hands.

Last season, after their record-breaking start, Barca were expected to go on and win everything at a canter. 

That they only ended up with the La Liga trophy to show for their efforts—which was in truth tied up by Christmas—left many scratching their heads at what went wrong.

An oft-used saying rings true here:"Getting to the top is easy, staying there is the hard part."

Jose Mourinho was expected to bring home La Decima—a 10th European crown—for Real, but did not. Carlo Ancelotti's side, replete with new stars, will have huge pressure on them from the very start of this season.

Add Gareth Bale into the mix, should he arrive, and the level of expectation on Ancelotti's men will go through the roof.

Barcelona have looked relaxed and happy during preseason, which should not be downplayed.