The Highs and Lows for Barcelona in 2015
When we look back over the last 12 months, it's plainly obvious that Barcelona have had an amazing 2015.
Aside from the odd blip here and there, Luis Enrique and his staff have to be happy with a job well done.
That Barca are again being held up as the exemplar, their template the one to follow, speaks volumes and they certainly have a lot to live up to during 2016.
Let's take a look at some highs and lows from 2015...
High: Completing the Treble
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Undoubtedly the biggest highlight of the year was the completion of the second treble in the club's history.
No other team in history has managed the feat twice, and after the loss to Real Sociedad at the start of 2015, no one would have expected such an outcome at the end of the campaign.
Ian Holyman of ESPNFC recalls Lionel Messi's argument with Luis Enrique in the aftermath of that particular match.
The furore surrounding that game seems to have been the catalyst for what followed—an almost unprecedented level of excellence to which there was seemingly no end.
There wasn't a team domestically or on the continent that was able to live with the Blaugrana, and three trophies were a formality in the end.
Low: Losing the Spanish Super Cup Final
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If ending the 2014/15 season was the highest point of the year, the insipid performance at the New San Mames at the beginning of 2015/16 was the lowest.
Athletic Club de Bilbao should take full credit for a wonderfully executed game plan that Barca had no answer to.
Aritz Arduriz in particular was a thorn in the side of the Catalans throughout, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen will probably still be having nightmares about the way in which he conceded Mikel San Jose's long-ranger.
Perhaps the Blaugrana saw this match as a foregone conclusion. After all, before this win, Athletic had only triumphed once against Barca in the previous 25 meetings, per Fussball Wettpoint.
Once over, the dream of a second sextuple had gone. As with other losses during the year, Barca evidently learned a little more about themselves.
High: The End of Messi Dependence
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It has long been contended that Barcelona are far too reliant on the excellence of Lionel Messi.
After the Argentinian was injured against Las Palmas and had to spend two months on the sidelines, both Neymar and Luis Suarez stepped up to the plate in astonishing fashion.
Michael Cox of ESPNFC explained that, prior to the first El Clasico of this season against Real Madrid, the duo had scored all 17 of Barca's goals to that point.
And it's a success story that has continued since, both finding the net on an almost weekly basis.
Cox also noted:
"In Messi's absence, there was a danger Suarez and Neymar would be competing to prove themselves the side's stand-in key man.
Instead, it has been the complete opposite. Neymar and Suarez have been combining more than ever, frequently interchanging positions naturally and combining in dangerous areas.
"
Messi dependence? Not anymore.
Low: A Hammering at Celta Vigo
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Following hot on the heels of their poor performance in the Spanish Super Cup came another game where Barca conceded four goals.
Sandwiched between the two was the European Super Cup where they again conceded four against Sevilla, albeit that particular game was salvaged by Pedro Rodriguez's late intervention.
Celta Vigo's ex-Barcelona man Nolito was chief destroyer at Balaidos where Barca were second to every ball and lethargic throughout the 90 minutes.
That should in no way take the shine off the quality of Celta's finishing and their all-round performance.
The win, and the scale of it, was entirely deserved.
High: A Classic El Clasico
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Four goals at the right end this time.
The way in which Barca dismantled Real Madrid on their own ground was every bit as spectacular as the 2-6 from 2009 or the 5-0 at Camp Nou in 2010.
Perhaps this performance even trumped those.
A game that was so one-sided that if the Catalans had doubled their final score, there couldn't have been an argument that the scoreline was unfair.
Only the heroics of 'keeper Keylor Navas kept the score down, and the white hankies of disdain that fluttered in the wind at full-time told Rafael Benitez and Florentino Perez everything.
Up there with the best performances of the year.
Low: Rafinha's Season-Ending Injury
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No sooner had Rafinha come on as substitute in the Champions League match away at AS Roma than his season was cruelly ended by an appalling tackle from Radja Nainggolan.
To the latter's credit, he did apologise to the young Brazilian when the extent of the injury became clear, but the damage had already been done.
Rafinha had been looking to establish himself in the Barca midfield, but the same was denied him in that one moment.
With Arda Turan available for selection from January, Rafinha will find it harder than ever to force his way into the starting lineup upon his return.
Barca did at least offer the player the comfort of a new five year contract in November, per FCBarcelona.com.
A nice touch.
High: Bye Bye Bayern
7 of 8Goosebumps every time.
It might have taken until late in the game for Barcelona to break through a stubborn Bayern Munich defence, but when they did so, it was in some style.
Pep Guardiola's homecoming was in many respects the biggest obstacle to Barcelona winning the Champions League.
The Germans were, as now, the only side at anywhere near the same level as the Catalans, and for long periods it seemed Pep's knowledge of Barca's style of play would leave them frustrated.
Step forward Lionel Messi.
High: Becoming World Champions Again
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Against a resilient and tough opponent in River Plate, Barca didn't betray their own style and kept knocking on the door until there was a breakthrough.
Who else but Lionel Messi opened the scoring, and although the result was never in doubt from that point on, Barca's opponents can hold their heads high.
They were, simply, beaten by the better team. Maybe one of the best ever. A team that has now scored 176 in the calendar year and notched up 50 wins. Both club records.
Luis Enrique has steered the ship admirably and deserves as much credit as his players.
The first team in history to be crowned world champions on three separate occasions.
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