Neymar's Integration Will Make Barca Attack Unstoppable

Barcelona were incredible on the attack during Neymar’s La Liga debut, but the side will become truly unstoppable once the Brazilian is fully integrated into their offensive plans.

After beginning the contest on the bench and not appearing until the 63rd minute, Neymar flashed some fantastic skill and fundamental talent despite not making an impact on the score.

He didn’t need to find the net, though, as the methodical Barca side picked apart Levante to the tune of seven goals without a contribution from their star offseason acquisition.

The Blaugrana truly are methodical in how they surgically move the football around the pitch. While Neymar enjoys a typically different style of play than what Barca usually employs, there is no doubt the ex-Santos forward will force new manager Gerardo Martino to find ways to utilize his explosive talents.

The Catalan side typically moves the football less deliberately than the more direct and forceful approach Neymar is used to.

As a result, Martino has a delicate balance to manage in his first season at the helm at Camp Nou. With Lionel Messi playing as good as ever, he’ll need to make adjustments that don’t detract from his star’s ability to continue that success.

He isn’t against making changes, though. After taking the Barca job, Martino said he will make tweaks to the team this season, according to ESPN FC.

Concerns about whether or not Neymar and Messi will clash as a result of these changes may also have been overblown. While both are star players and will command the spotlight, there is no greater cure for disenchantment than winning.

With both of these stars functioning in top form, there’s no doubt this club is going to find itself on top more often than not moving forward.

It all really comes down to consistency and familiarity.

Neymar’s emergence isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight. He’s going to have to continue to get onto the pitch to help build chemistry with Messi and the rest of his teammates.

Then, he’ll earn the trust of his manager and his side. With the added threat Neymar provides, Barca will be able to create mismatches and different approaches that will keep opposing sides guessing on defense.

When it all eventually starts clicking, Barca are going to be an unstoppable force in European football for years to come. Perhaps the defending Liga champs will also be able to secure the Champions League trophy after falling short last year.