3 Biggest Positives for Barcelona's 2015/16 Season so Far
Having won the treble last season, the next target for Barcelona was to go for the sextuple.
That didn't happen, as despite seeing off Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup, they fell short against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup and were beaten 4-0 in the first leg, enough to seal the trophy for the Basque side.
After that they had to fight through various problems, from transfer bans to injuries, but have still managed to fly high in the Spanish top flight.
Here are the three biggest positives from Barcelona's 2015/16 season so far...
3. No Turbulence from the Inside
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Think back to last season, up to February, and how many worries there were internally. Barcelona players were fed up of Luis Enrique's rotation.
They were upset that the coach was so strict with the squad. Lionel Messi was said to be particularly at odds with the manager and considering leaving the club. Mutiny was in the air.
This year, things seem different. There is a great team spirit at the club, as demonstrated by Neymar allowing Luis Suarez to take a penalty in the 3-0 win over Villarreal, even though the Brazilian is in charge of them when Messi doesn't play.
The team even went on a big trip to theme park PortAventura on Spain's east coast, which was the idea of Luis Enrique, per Sport.
In the Barcelona camp there seems to be total harmony. The only issues are appearing from outside.
The whistling of Gerard Pique and the brouhaha that kicked off after the players tried to have some Halloween fun are examples of this.
In terms of internal matters, all is calm in Barcelona waters. Trouble there would be far more dangerous than anything the world could throw at them.
2. Top, Despite Everything
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Eleven games in and Barcelona are top of La Liga by three points, from Real Madrid in second, and by four from Atletico in third.
That in itself is a huge positive for the club, who know they can travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for the Clasico next week, lose, and still be joint leaders.
But when you consider the various problems that have afflicted the team this season, it's an even more impressive feat.
Consider that they lost Xavi Hernandez and Pedro Rodriguez in the summer, unable to register Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal until January.
That Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique have both been banned, while Lionel Messi has been out injured for weeks.
Messi's knee injury is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Barcelona's treatment room, with Rafinha sidelined for the season, Ivan Rakitic a doubt for the Clasico and Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Jordi Alba and several others afflicted.
Barcelona have also played some of the season's toughest league games already, away at Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Celta Vigo and Athletic Bilbao.
To have survived those games and be top of the table in mid-November bodes well.
1. Luis Suarez and Neymar
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Barcelona's trident scored 120 goals last season and was the main force in their treble win. So to have one third of the trident, at the very least, in Lionel Messi taken away was a painful blow for the club.
But despite already playing at extremely impressive levels, the pair have managed to raise their game further to help the team cope without the heartbeat of the side.
Since Messi was injured, in all competitions (nine games), Neymar has scored 10 goals and provided six assists. Suarez has 10 goals and three assists. These players are hitting Messi numbers.
Neymar especially has taken on the role of creating the play for Barcelona, being the man to drop back deep when needed, to drive forward with the ball and take responsibility.
Thanks to the goals of these two players, Barcelona are thriving when logic dictates they should be struggling.
If they can maintain their current form when Messi is fit again, the possibilities will be terrifying.
