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The Catalan giants have been a top force in all competitions, but their European glory days seem to have vanished, as their direct rivals Real Madrid have won three back to back UEFA Champions League titles.
But Barcelona have been more consistent and stable than Los Blancos domestically, with the Catalan team winning the domestic double almost every other year.
This year's transfer window has been impressive for Barcelona, as they have brought in quality reinforcements to compete for all the three titles. The likes of Vidal, Lenglet, Arthur, and Malcom will offer immense squad depth, and this certainly is a plus point for the Catalan side.
However, there are still some reasons why Barcelona will fail to lift the LaLiga title this year, and this brings me to my first point on the article.
#3 Out of form Luis Suarez
It is pretty clear that Leo Messi has been doing the work of two forwards for a few seasons now, with Luis Suarez looking to be nowhere near his best. His conversion rate has been pretty disappointing, though he has scored plenty of goals since he joined the Catalan side.
Luis scored a staggering 59 goals in his second season for Barcelona, with 24 assists to his name. It was a prodigious year for all the Cules and Barcelona players.
However, Suarez has not been able to cross the 30 goal-mark since then, and his contributions in the UCL games have been minimal.
One can claim that nearly 30 goals a season is a remarkable achievement for any striker. But Suarez is certainly levels above when he is at his best, and with the likes of Messi and Iniesta, he should have put the ball in the net plenty of more times.
The new season has arrived, and the 2 games have not really been 'good' for Suarez. With Paco Alcacer leaving for Dortmund, there is no proper substitute for Suarez. I doubt if Barcelona will be clinical up front, and this can turn out to be one of the reasons why they will suffer against bus parking teams, and eventually lose.
All stats via transfermarkt
#2 Ernesto Valverde's managerial ability
Valverde's tactics were a bit of a concern last season, as Barcelona encountered a thrashing defeat to Roma in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, even after winning the first leg with a 3 goal lead.
This led to various calls on Valverde's tactics and man-management skills, with several Cules wanting him to be sacked. However, Bartomeu kept his cool and did not panic. He instead stood with the manager and supported him to make more signings and execute his plans on the team.
Valverde prefers to play 'safe' football. One can claim that Barcelona's attacking abilities have been impaired under Valverde, but let us not ignore the fact that the side looks better defensively now when compared to past seasons.
The second leg against Roma was a devastating night for the Catalans, and Valverde's intentions were clear from the start of the game. He started Sergi Roberto in place of Dembele, and this was a defensive move which ultimately backfired.
Though Valverde won a domestic double in his very first season with the Catalan giants, it remains to be seen how well his side performs in the Champions League.
The team's performance totally depends upon the manager's vision and decision making. Anything less than a Champions League title will be considered average.
#1 Atletico Madrid
After signing a long-term deal with ATM, and giving an 'L' to Barca, Griezmann looks motivated and determined to win trophies with Atletico. Griezmann is a striker with immense quality, and along with Diego Costa, they are a serious threat to any opposition, be it Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Though Barcelona has got a better squad and a bigger budget as well, it would be stupid to rule out ATM from winning the double. Diego Simeone is a genius, and the quality he has got on the bench will be enough for him to rule Europe.
Atletico Madrid are looking to win all trophies available to them this year, with the UEFA Super Cup already in their pocket. They have refused to sell the likes of Jan Oblak and Griezmann, and this means they mean business this season.
With their insane squad depth, a lethal attacking duo, and an indestructible defence, a domestic double for Los Rojiblancos does not look beyond the bounds of possibility.
Atletico Madrid look indestructible this year, and they are a threat to any team on their path to glory.
