5 Barcelona Beaters: From Milan to Madrid, Teams for Guardiola To Fear

Last week Pep Guardiola dropped his heaviest hint yet of his potential departure from the Nou Camp.

Speaking in a promotional interview, the Barca coach said, "not a day goes by without thinking 'I'm off.'"

The comments drew press attention from around the world, as Spanish journalists began predicting the demise of the Catalan club.

Yet in truth, the comments were nothing more than Guardiola's usual spin on things, with the coach merely indicating his distrust of long-term contracts.

"I work better thinking that I've got the freedom to decide my future," he said. "Long-term contracts that tie you to a place you might not like make me anxious. I'm incapable of planning anything for more time than half a year or a year. I find it impossible."

Whether the coach decides to stay or go, the next year-and-a-half will bring plenty of challenges for Guardiola as he attempts to retain both the La Liga and Champions League crowns.

With that in mind, here are five games that could see Barcelona come unstuck...

Barcelona vs. Sevilla: Saturday 22nd October

Barcelona's next major test this season comes against Sevilla in just over a week and whilst the Catalans may have home advantage, things could be a little more complicated this time around against the Andalusian club.

Recent times have seen Barcelona steamroll Sevilla but under Marcelino Garcia Toral, the visitors have a newfound steel.

Earlier in the season, Barca were held by Valencia in a 2-2 draw at the Mestalla but with Sevilla defeating Los Che two weeks ago, they could be more than a match for Barcelona, particularly with their secret weapons...

Player(s) To Watch

When Barcelona faced off against Valencia earlier this season, the Catalans' lack of defensive width was dangerously exposed time and time again by the likes of Pablo Piatti.

Against Sevilla, this problem could be a whole lot worse though, with the Andalusians boasting two of the most exciting wingers in La Liga with Jesus Navas and Diego Perotti.

Pep, you have been warned...

Athletic Club vs. Barcelona: Saturday 5th November

Athletic Bilbao may seem like an odd choice, but it's important to remember that Marcelo Bielsa's team is a work in progress. 

And in Bielsa, Bilbao boast a coach that Pep Guardiola would undoubtedly describe as both his mentor and friend. With such esteem bestowed by the current Barca boss, it is therefore not the most absurd idea to suggest Bielsa could be the architect of a defeat for the Catalans.

After all, recent games have seen Athletic Bilbao begin to gel as a team with Marcelo Bielsa instilling an effective passing game in place of the previous long-ball/set-play tactics that brought limited success for the Basque club.

As wins against Real Sociedad away and mega-rich Paris Saint German at home have shown, the team are capable. It's just a case of whether the team will be ready by then.

Player(s) To Watch

The name of Lionel Messi means little to Bilbao fans, who continue to sing the praises of their own striker sensation Iker Muniain. Just 18 years of age, the youngster is as much a creator as he is a goal scorer. Great things are expected of the youngster this year, as he continues to develop at an incredible rate.

A Saturday evening in front of his home Basque support against the best team in Europe could be the perfect stage for Muniain.

AC Milan vs. Barcelona: Wednesday 23rd November

Last time out in the Champions League, Barcelona may have had the best of the game against AC Milan in the Nou Camp, yet the visitors departed Spain with a valuable point, after Thiago Silva snatched a late 2-2 draw.

This time around, Barcelona will be gunning for a win in the San Siro. However, they could face some difficulties against a Rossoneri side bursting with an incredible array of talent.

In defense, the likes of Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva can still provide an effective wall against even the greatest attacking talent.

However it is the current forward line that could cause the most problems with Robinho, Antonio Cassano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all at Maximiliano Allegri's disposal.

That said, another man could provide the biggest problems on the night...

Player(s) To Watch

In the opening half of Barcelona vs. AC Milan, the home side were rampant. Yet for all their domination, it was an AC Milan player that broke the deadlock so early on and continued to be a constant thorn in the Catalan club's side.

That man was Alexandre Pato. There's little doubt that the young Brazilian is a talent to behold and a striker of searing pace and ability. The only thing in question is his injury record, which has seen Pato missing a high amount of games for Milan.

If he is fit and if he is focused though, his quick pace, excellent control and finely honed finishing skills could see him complete a famous double over Barca and may just attract more than a passing interest from those upstairs at the Nou Camp...

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Saturday 10th December

December sees the first Clasico of the season between the increasingly hostile enemies of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Over a year on from the 5-0 humiliation and with a further six encounters between the two, Jose Mourinho is likely to be thinking very carefully about this game.

After all, as home side, Real Madrid have a definite advantage, with the Los Blancos faithful likely to create a less-than-hospitable atmosphere for the Catalans.

With Barcelona looking defensively weak, the likes of Real Madrid could well be the ones to provide a wake-up call to the current system of three at the back, which could rely too heavily on the slow, yet defensively sound Javier Mascherano.

Mourinho's tenure at Real Madrid could well rest on the result against Barcelona and with so much riding on it and such an array of talent at his disposal, this could be one to turn La Liga upside down.

Player(s) To Watch

When it comes to Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, pundits often boil down the competition to that of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and this game will be no different.

Ronaldo has been in as sensational form as ever for Real Madrid, with a goal record that is only matched by the little Argentinean. Last time Real Madrid won against Barcelona, it came in last season's Copa Del Rey final, with Ronaldo grabbing the only goal.

Could he do it again?

Malaga vs. Barcelona: Saturday 22nd January

Last year Malaga's brand new owner Sheik Al Thani declared that the club would soon be competing with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The ensuing relegation struggle may have seen many dismiss the notion of Malaga as a Spanish footballing force, but the summer months have been good to Manuel Pellegrini's team.

Key signings like Santi Cazorla and Joaquin Sanchez as well as the experience of additions like Jeremy Toulalan and Ruud Van Nistelrooy have suddenly seen the team elevated to potential Champions League challengers.

The La Liga campaign has started well too, with Malaga challenging at the top end of the table following uncharacteristic slips by Barcelona and Real Madrid. Another slip away to Malaga could well be on the cards.

Player(s) To Watch

The catalyst behind Malaga's relegation resurrection last season, Julio Baptista seems to have finally rediscovered his form after abortive spells at Arsenal and Roma.

"The Beast" Baptista has a good track record against Barcelona too, having famously settled a previous encounter between Barcelona and former club Real Madrid back when he was a Los Blancos star.

One player who can never be labelled a big-game flop, Baptista has often saved his best form for the real crunch games in his career and the Brazilian may just relish another crack at one of his favourite adversaries.

Skillful, strong on ball and with a rediscovered eye for goal, Baptista could well be the man to make Malaga move forward this season.