All-Action Dani Alves Gives Luis Enrique Sweetest of Selection Headaches

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique sensibly rested Lionel Messi and benched Luis Suarez and Neymar for the visit of Villanovense.

Against a team that had lost every game since their 0-0 draw with Barca in the first leg, there was little point in Enrique taking risks in the opening exchanges.

The intent was clear even before Dani Alves' blockbuster of an opening goal in the fourth minute, and the visitors were unable to get into Barcelona's half for any length of time to that point.

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Goal of the night courtesy of Dani Alves! pic.twitter.com/xGXpJ8NAyn

— 138.com (@138dotcom) December 2, 2015"

Here was a team intent on doing business quickly and assuring their passage at the earliest possible opportunity.

Ever since the Catalans hit their stride at the start of the year, Enrique has ensured the highest levels of application no matter the opponent. That viewpoint should be lauded; after all, it allowed the Blaugrana to win four of the five trophies on offer in the calendar year with the Club World Cup still to be decided.

Alves' contribution wasn't limited to his goal, of course. He provided another all-action display during his 45 minutes on the field—as we've come to expect quite frankly.

The tears after the Champions League final were genuine, and he continues to give everything for the cause. This hands Enrique a problem, albeit the type that every manager professes to want to have.

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@barcastuff Perhaps this is why? Dani in tears at Nou: "I don't know how much is left of this dream..." https://t.co/ZVomwcc4E4 #DaniAlves

— dwai banerjee (@dwai_banerjee) June 9, 2015"

In just under a month's time, Aleix Vidal is finally available after twiddling his thumbs on the sidelines for six months.

There's little doubt that the former Sevilla man has made the move to not sit on the bench for another half-year, but the conundrum for the manager is how he can even consider dropping Alves on current form.

His two assists at the weekend against Real Sociedad were exquisite, and he remains the player with most assists to Lionel Messi in particular.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Age has most definitely not wearied him.

As Martin Montoya found out to his evident cost, it won't be easy for Vidal to dislodge Alves from his position, either.

The 32-year-old is as integral to Barca's style of play as Messi, Neymar and Suarez. Moreover, he is essential for team morale, a side of the game that cannot be underplayed.

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(Mundo Deportivo) Alves arruina el ‘selfie’ de Rafinha con Arda https://t.co/6xIE1OK3nr #Futbol #LigaBBVA

— Sesion Deportiva (@SesionDeportiva) November 22, 2015"

Enrique would do well to also consider Sergi Roberto's claims for a regular starting berth. The youngster is an attacking midfielder by trade, but he has shown that he is a more than capable understudy for Alves if injuries dictate.

Where the manager has hit the jackpot again is that Roberto's emergence in the position has forced Alves to up his performance levels further still.

VI-Images/Getty Images

There's nothing like some genuine competition for places to get the best out of a player, and perhaps that's one of the main reasons why we've borne witness to a fabulous start to the season from the right-back. All the while, Vidal has been waiting in the wings ready to ease the Brazilian aside at a moment's notice.

The win against Villanovense was Barca's seventh in a row and 10th win in the last 11 games. Aside from the Club World Cup and a dead rubber Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen, the Catalans have three La Liga fixtures against a disjointed Valencia, Deportivo La Coruna and Real Betis.

If their current run of form continues, Barca will hit January 1, 2016, potentially on a 16-game winning run in which Alves will have played a full part. There's no way the manager is going to tinker with that because you simply don't change a winning team.

LLUIS GENE/Getty Images

Which also means no regular spots for both Sandro Ramirez and Munir El Haddadi, both of whom finally broke their scoring ducks in style against Villanovense. In Munir's case, it had been 15 months since his last first-team goal.

Both youngsters deserve great credit for continuing to knock on the door, and while they'll be restricted to the odd cameo now and then, at least the heaviest of millstones around their necks have finally been removed.