3 reasons why Barcelona won't win the treble this season

Gerard Pique's 82nd minute equalizer against Espanyol saved the blushes for the league leaders. FC Barcelona are having a prodigious season this winter. They sit at the helm of La Liga with a massive nine-point lead. Adding to their joy is the deplorable season of their fierce rivals, Real Madrid.

The Catalans are looking at a glorious season ahead in terms of lifting trophies. But lately, it appears that the Spanish side would be unable to do so, as the fixtures groove in thick and fast.

The upcoming couple of weeks could be decisive for the Cules. Here, we take a look at the hindrances standing between Barca and their second treble in three years.

#1 Over-reliance on Lionel Messi

Enter captio — Messi came on in the 59th minute as the team struggled at the RCDE stadium.

Lionel Messi has been Barcelona's talisman this year netting 27 goals and providing 14 assists so far. He appears to be aging like an old wine and is enjoying life under Valverde. Messi's form is good news for the Spanish giants as they look to challenge for every major silverware. However, Barca have been over-reliant on the 30-year-old. Valverde's men have struggled for creativity and goals in Messi's absence.

Barcelona's dependence on their no. 10 was evident during their visit to Espanyol. The star forward was rested alongside Sergi Roberto, Ivan Rakitic and Jordi Alba. The Catalans were struggling on a wet turf and saw themselves trailing until the Argentine was subbed on. It was Messi's assist for Pique's header which salvaged a late point for Barca.

Messi was also rested against Juventus in the Champions League and the Cules managed to register only one shot on target. FC Barcelona gravely need their players to ease the pressure off their starlet to keep him fresh ahead of the crucial UCL knock-outs.

#2 Chelsea - A tough draw

Enter cap — Chelsea vs Barcelona has been one of the ugliest fixtures ever in the Champions League.

If there is any team Barcelona circumvented facing in the Round-of-16 of the Champions League, it would certainly be Chelsea. The fixture envelopes some of the most controversial moments in its antiquity.

Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League with any title chances well and truly over. The poor form of the English side could be seen as an advantage by the Catalans. However, the Londoners would be acquainted with the fact that UCL is their only ray of hope left in 2018.

The two sides have met 12 times in the 21st century with Blues having a better record against the Spanish side. Chelsea would enter the fixture with glorious memories of their aggregate victory at Camp Nou back in 2012 . Moreover, if Conte manages to lift the big prize with Chelsea, he could be able to salvage his job entering the new season.

#3 Lack of squad depth

One of the major forces behind Real Madrid's consecutive European titles was their bench. The players like James Rodriguez, Raphael Varane and Alvaro Morata were up to ease the pressure off the main XI in the league matches week in and out.

Barcelona have issues when it comes to resting the first XI, the recent trip to Espanyol being the foremost case. The Catalans look nervous while playing with the likes of Andre Gomes, Paco Alcacer or Lucas Digne. Ousmane Dembele, the summer signing from Dortmund has recently been sidelined with injury. The best attacking options for the Catalans now come in the form of Paulinho or Alcarer.

The manager Ernesto Valverde cannot afford to take much risk with a major squad rotation. The league matches would be coming sandwiched between the crucial Champions League playoffs. The Cules would need some cautious approach with their star players as the fixture congestion increases.