Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic Leading Barcelona Revolution Under Luis Enrique

Four games in, 12 points in the bank and not so much as a single goal conceded, things are looking pretty rosy at the Camp Nou at the moment.

But ignoring for a moment the most important thing, which is the result, a quick look at the performances gives us many clues as to just where this Barcelona side is going.

Against Barcelona, Levante attempted to do what most teams will try to do against them—at least until the return to action of Luis Suarez—which is defend near the box, and inside, and utilise fast players up front keen to use the spaces obligingly left by a Barcelona team playing a very high line.

Without someone like Suarez in the middle, there is little effort wasted in trying to defend the wings because the premise is that crosses from that part of the pitch will fall to no one in particular and can be dealt with easily.

But where Barcelona really come into their own is with super-quick transition from defence to attack, pressure high up the pitch so when they do recover the ball they find themselves facing a disorganised defence and finally lightning-fast movement of, and off, the ball.

The key to everything is that Barcelona should have an organised attack, which basically means everyone should know exactly what their jobs are at all times.

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For the moment Luis Enrique is working primarily on quick transition from defence to attack and also on the rotation of the team. With just four league games and one Champions League match played, all but four of his squad have figured at some time or another.

Lionel Messi, of course, has been a permanent fixture and, just as was promised to him before the World Cup, everything focuses and radiates around him. He plays wherever he likes and is clearly enjoying himself.

I have always said Messi’s real strength comes from those short, sharp bursts of acceleration that leave opponents trailing in his wake. Make him run from deeper and longer distances, and not only do you dilute his powers, you always leave him heavy-legged and unable to recover so quickly so he can resume doing what he does best, namely tormenting defences.

Of the first 12 goals in all competitions, Messi has been involved in nine (three goals, six assists) and all three of Neymar’s goals have come via assists from the Argentina international.

Speaking of which, another important factor in this Barcelona team is the continual building of the Messi/Neymar partnership, which is getting better and better.

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The Brazilian knows the role he has to play, namely to work hard and track back and basically to be near to Messi and in positions to run in behind defences, perhaps even more than he is doing already.

Thankfully, the long mazy diagonal dribbles performed by Neymar when he first arrived in a bid to impress, but which did little other than place much of the team out of position, are a thing of the past.

He looks hungry and focused, a fact demonstrated by his annoyance when substituted against Levante after taking what he thought was just a minor knock to the ankle.

The doctor, however, begged to differ, diagnosing a sprain. We’ll soon find out who’s right.

Then there’s Ivan Rakitic, probably, the club’s signing of the season so far. In their history, Barcelona have had many fine players, some who could score great goals, others who could make goal-saving tackles.

Rakitic is the first player I can remember to manage both feats within the space of about  thirty minutes, his last-ditch challenge at one end being swiftly followed by a 30-yard screamer at the other.

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Quick with his distribution, brave going forward in search of the ball and a really hard worker, this is a player who has everything and is a tremendous addition to the Barcelona side.

An intelligent man who speaks five languages, Rakitic lives in the centre of the city and can frequently be seen wandering around the town with his wife.

I also understand he was a great help to Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the new goalkeeper tried to settle at a new club and in a new country, and it is quite clear that after just a short time at the club, he has already established himself as one of the team leaders.

And in defence, Javier Mascherano was given the nod over Gerard Pique, who spent another afternoon warming the bench. It seems likely that until such time as the player regains his fitness and his focus, that’s where he will remain.

*All information sourced first-hand