Careful Management of Star Players Will Be the Key to Barcelona's Season
"The players are not machines," said Luis Enrique, of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, in a press conference after Real Madrid beat his Barcelona team in April in the Camp Nou Clasico. "They are players of a high level, the highest in the world, but that doesn't mean they can't be beaten."
It was a phrase he used about his entire squad on various occasions last season, even as they racked up a machine-like run of 39 games unbeaten, until they came into this Clasico.
Defeat by Los Blancos in that game was the start of a negative spiral for the team, which saw them knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Atletico Madrid.
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Barcelona’s star striking trident did not take on this period in the best condition, having made long-haul trips to South America before the Clasico to take part in international fixtures.
The Mirror crunched the numbers and worked out that the MSN traveled 62,352 kilometres in the days leading up to the bout with Zinedine Zidane’s side, whereas Real Madrid's BBC (Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo) went just 882km. That's 71 times less far.
It was no surprise that it was Ronaldo popping up with the 85th-minute winner while Barcelona’s stars huffed and puffed at the other end with little joy.
Messi, Neymar and Suarez recovered in the nick of time to protect their LaLiga and Copa del Rey titles, but their downswing was dangerous.
It’s not the fault of the players—as Lucho says, they’re not machines—but then again, Messi, Neymar and Suarez do demand to play all the time. They don’t like being rested. And, given their qualities, it was difficult for the coach to do anything other than keep sending them out.
But maybe they, now, see the need to be at their fittest and freshest. Barcelona’s new squad depth shows the club certainly recognise it.
That much was evidenced when they gave young talent Munir El Haddadi to Valencia on loan and brought in a premium reinforcement to the MSN in Los Che’s Paco Alcacer.
The Spanish striker has yet to be presented because he was away with the national team when the deal was finally closed, but that will happen on Thursday.
On top of getting his first taste of the media whirlwind that life in Barcelona will be for him, he also could get a taste of action sooner than expected.
Barcelona noted after the club’s 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao that Messi had some groin and thigh discomfort.
According to Argentina manager Edgardo Bauza, they actually recommended he did not travel to South America for the World Cup qualifiers currently being disputed.
"The club recommended against him travelling but he said 'No, no, I am travelling,'" Bauza told Fox Argentina, h/t Sport.
Messi played and scored against Uruguay on Thursday night but left with great groin pain that ruled him out of the Albiceleste’s second game against Venezuela.
He flew back to Argentina on Sunday and took medical tests on Monday to further analyse the problem.
Regardless of the results, it may be prudent to rest him against Alaves on Saturday at Camp Nou. Messi should not be needed and Barcelona have plenty of firepower to replace him against the promoted minnows.
Alcacer, for one, will be hoping for his debut. However, because he is still with the Spanish national team, it would be a surprise if Luis Enrique threw him into action; furthermore because he’s more comfortable as a No. 9, where Suarez will play.
There are various other options at Luis Enrique’s disposal. Rafinha is a player he favours and has used on the right before, while Arda Turan has been doing a good job on the left and could switch over to the right.
That also would make space for Neymar to return. The way Luis Enrique has handled him implies that Barcelona are going to make concerted efforts this year to keep their star men fresh.
Neymar took part in the Olympic Games, winning gold for Brazil, along with Rafinha. The latter flew back to Barcelona and took part in the game against Athletic, whereas Lucho told Neymar to stay put. To relax.
It is rare that a coach gives arguably his second-best player such a break, but in the Asturian’s eyes, it wasn’t worth flying Neymar back for one game before he hopped on a plane back to Brazil for the international break.
Lessons have been learned from last season, it seems.
Neymar will appreciate the extra time away, back in his homeland, and his performances for Brazil have shown that he is at the right level to come marching straight back into the Barcelona side.
The coach showed last season he was happy to limit Andres Iniesta’s game time to ensure he got the best out of the club’s captain, and with both Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes added to the squad, the same could happen this season.
Iniesta suffered an injury in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup win over Sevilla and is only just returning to fitness.
According to Diario Sport, he hopes to take part in the club’s Monday session even though he has not yet received medical clearance to play.
And, just like Messi, it would be sensible to give Iniesta a break against Alaves if there is any doubt whatsoever over his injury being healed.
Denis Suarez or Rafinha would be comfortable in his role, and even Sergi Roberto could play in midfield if the coach wanted to give Aleix Vidal a rare run-out at right back.
Without being forced to travel to Japan for the Club World Cup this year, Barcelona already have a bit more breathing room, but that doesn’t mean the schedule is easy, exactly.
Between September 10 and the 28, Barcelona have six games. That's a game every three days.
The Champions League starts and they host Celtic before travelling to face Borussia Monchengladbach later in the month, while also facing Alaves, Leganes, Atletico Madrid and Sporting Gijon in La Liga.
Atletico's visit to Camp Nou on September 21 is the first true stern test of the season, although the trip to Bilbao to face Athletic was a troublesome encounter that Barcelona did well to navigate.
What the club’s aim should be now is to arrive at the clash with Atletico with a full bill of health and the star players in prime condition to take on Diego Simeone’s battling Rojiblancos.
If that means not throwing Messi straight back into action or utilising him as a substitute, then so be it. Because avoiding a slump at the business end of the season is something Barcelona need to target.
Rik Sharma is Bleacher Report's lead Barcelona correspondent. All information and quotes obtained firsthand unless specified. Follow him on Twitter here: @riksharma_
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