What to Expect from Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic in the 2015/16 Season
More. That's what to expect from Ivan Rakitic in the season ahead—and not because he didn't offer enough last time around.
The Croatian was a key part of the team which won the treble, playing 51 games and scoring eight goals, in all competitions.
Like many of Barcelona's players, the longer the season went on, the more impressive he was.
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That impressive performance culminated with Rakitic blasting home Barcelona's opening goal in the Champions League final after just four minutes, with his side going on to beat Juventus 3-1 and seal a historic treble.
However, Rakitic scored fewer goals than he did in his previous two seasons with Sevilla, in which he notched 12 and 15, respectively.
That's due to the large amount of defensive work he took on, sweating his way not only through the centre, but also on the right, particularly in the first half of the season.
Dani Alves was roving too much before January, with Rakitic being asked to help cover for him when he went upfield.
After the turn of the year, Alves was more sensible and focused in his expeditions forward, which in turn freed Rakitic to have more of an attacking impact.
That's what he became known for at Sevilla, and the midfielder would have been grateful for the chance to breathe and shine himself.
But with forwards Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar in the team, Rakitic knows that doing extra running will have to be a part of his game.
He said, told Marca, per Sport: "Many people say that it is very easy to play with them. I don't agree.
"They are players of a different level and, if we play for them, it is because they have earned it but that does not mean it's easy—and if I have to run 5,000 kilometres for one of them to have their best moment, I will do it. We do it."
Rakitic's creative juices are flowing now that he's become more comfortable at the club, and you can see it from the type of passes he's started playing.
The delicious ball he sent Suarez to score from against Fiorentina during the pre-season is one example.
And during the Joan Gamper he excelled again, demonstrating he has no plan to relinquish his place in Luis Enrique's first team.
The signing of Arda Turan is a threat, with the Turk unlikely to take the place of any of the front three on a regular basis.
When he is eligible for selection in January, Rakitic will hope he has done enough to keep the former Atletico Madrid star on the sidelines.
Arda has already said he would like to play in the same side as Andres Iniesta, Messi, Neymar and Suarez, so if that's going to happen, the Croatian will be in his line of fire.
Rakitic has already won over Barcelona supporters, who have taken much more kindly to their new No. 4 than they ever did to their previous one.
He offers energy and drive in a way Cesc Fabregas could not, and with his thunderous long shots—one of which landed in the top corner against Roma in the Gamper match—he's become a fan favourite.
More of the same would be sufficient from Rakitic, but it would also be a slight disappointment, because he clearly has the ability to continue growing and improving.
Last season, Rakitic was set to shave his flowing blond locks off if Barcelona won the Champions League.
However, he escaped the barber's razor thanks to his impending wedding, which took place later in June.
Rakitic pledged to Sport that if Barcelona could manage to conquer Europe once more, he would actually do it this time. So this time around, he'll be expected to keep his promise.
After all, Arda Turan already has one up on him on that front.
It will be an emotional reunion as he faces his beloved Sevilla again in the European Super Cup on Tuesday, but the new Ivan Rakitic will have to put emotion aside and launch Barcelona's bid for the sextuple.
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