What Will Be Barcelona's Strongest Defence in the 2015/16 Season?

Barcelona's defence were much maligned for their inability to deal with set pieces and high balls into the box before their treble-winning season in 2014/15.

That all changed during the last campaign, with the Blaugrana conceding just two goals from those scenarios, per Marca, and only 38 goals overall in the 60 games they played. A marked improvement.

Although Barcelona have already signed Aleix Vidal from Sevilla, it will be January at the very earliest before we get to see how well he fits the Barca template.

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And that's assuming Dani Alves hasn't had a particularly remarkable first few months of the season. 

If the Brazilian hits the ground running and carries on his form from the latter part of the last campaign, then there is every likelihood Luis Enrique will stick with his tried-and-tested right-back.

The flip side of such a decision is that the Catalans will be left with a £13 million signing, per BBC Sport, sat twiddling his thumbs on the bench.

It's also worth remembering Vidal was signed when it appeared Alves had played his last game for Barca before signing a new deal at the 11th hour.

Alves certainly has the advantage in terms of being first choice for the first half of the season, and the expectation would be that he continues his excellent recent form.

On the left side of the back four, Jordi Alba only needs to carry on playing as he has to this point, with perhaps an improvement made in his attitude occasionally.

The odd red card or a yellow for dissent is unnecessary and takes the shine off the rest of his game.

Although Adriano is likely to leave the club, per a Cadena Ser interview with the player's agent, Paulo Affonso Neves (via Levi Buckland of Goal.com), Barca B starlet Alejandro Grimaldo was expected to make the step up.

However, Mundo Deportivo (via Barcastuff on Twitter) suggested the youngster might be loaned out for the forthcoming season:

"

Barcelona B left back Alejandro Grimaldo (19) and winger Adama (19) are expected to leave the club this summer, probably on loan. [md]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) July 11, 2015"

Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen could cover in the position if necessary, but that is all they would be unless Enrique decides to go with a different game plan, dependent on opposition.

Centrally, there is no doubt whatsoever that Gerard Pique will be a fixture.

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After a lamentable season under Tata Martino, Pique was immense throughout 2014/15 and recaptured some of the form he displayed during previous campaigns.

Sky Sports' Terry Gibson even went as far to suggest Pique is the best defender in the world when playing at such a level.

Aside from excelling in a defensive capacity, the centre-back also put his height to good use at the opposite end of the field, scoring six goals.

After he was dumped on the substitutes' bench in the early part of the campaign, perhaps some reverse psychology from Enrique did the trick and had Pique concentrated throughout.

There's nothing to suggest Enrique won't partner him with El Jefe, Javier Mascherano.

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The big-man, little-man combination has been a successful one, with Masche's game perfectly complementing Pique's.

What the Argentinian lacks in height, he more than makes up for with heart, desire, mentality and application.

The only possible way Enrique will change things around is either through injury or because he wants to give Mascherano a rest.

Let's remember he has given absolutely everything in unsuccessful World Cup and Copa America campaigns for his country in the last two summers, sandwiching a draining but successful season at club level.

For matches against perceived lesser opponents, both Mathieu and Vermaelen can step in centrally also.

For a first-choice defence, however, it has to be Alves, Pique, Mascherano and Alba. Pace, power, height, accuracy and excellence all rolled into one high-quality back four.