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In football, it is normal for clubs to have their difficult times. This is because life itself is not straight. As human beings, we are bound to take wrong decisions at various times. But, the ability to overturn difficulties and produce excellence is what separates the big clubs from the small ones.
Ahead of this season, the Catalans faced a lot of challenges. In fact, the club had a very terrible preseason. First, they lost their superstar, Neymar Junior, to Paris Saint Germain in a very complicated deal. The Brazillian was signed by the French club in a world record deal worth €222million.
That deal was followed by a lot of crisis in the club. While some people blamed the player for disloyalty, others slammed the board, claiming that they did not do enough to preserve him.
As if that was not enough, the Blaugrana faced another disappointment which made things even worse. This time, they were humiliated by their arch-rivals, Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana. The Capital club defeated the Catalans with an aggregate score of 5-1 to lift the trophy and added more salt to their wounds.
These developments put the club in a total mess and brought a lot of angry reactions from the fans. However, fast-forward few months into the season and the atmosphere is totally different. The Catalans have proved their critics wrong and gained the heart of their fans. They have made it to the final of the Copa Del Rey and are on course to reclaim the La Liga title from their arch-rivals.
Therefore, let us look at 5 amazing things the Blaugrana have done this season:
5) Overturning The Initial Crisis That Plighted The Club
It is always tough when a club loses an outstanding player or an important trophy. Tackling a threatening crisis could be much tougher. However, facing these three problems at the same time is quite unimaginable.
Barca was so unfortunate to have experienced these difficulties almost at the same time. But, how the club managed to cope with these unbearable circumstances is a pure masterclass.
Despite the challenges, the club was able to live up to its slogan and prove that they are truly more than a club. They quickly got things under control and worked together as a club. They started adapting to the season. Though slowly, they became one of the most dominant teams in Europe with their impressive results.
Now, they are currently on top of the La Liga table with a comfortable lead. They have also made it to the final of the Copa Del Rey.
4) Roping in Ernesto Valverde as manager
Towards the end of the 2016/2017 season, former Barcelona manager, Luis Enrique announced that he would quit the club. The Spaniard had spent almost three seasons at Barcelona and refused to renew his contract. This made it a necessity for club president, Maria Bartomeu to find another world-class tactician to replace the Spaniard.
In the summer of 2017, Enrique officially left the club. He was replaced with former Athletic Bilbao head coach, Ernesto Valverde. When Valverde came to the club, he inherited a squad that had already started collapsing under his predecessor. To add to his troubles, the club lost one of it's brightest players, Neymar Junior. The crisis that followed and the Supercopa humiliation never produced any positive sign in the Catalan capital.
But then came the magical Valverde. The Spaniard started resolving the issues affecting the club's performances. With time, they started producing great results. He brought balance to the team and introduced some form of solidity in their defense. He also introduced a new formation, (the 4-4-2 formation) and used it instead of the conventional 4-3-3 formation that is adopted in the club.
Furthermore, the coach got the best out of the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto. As usual, Messi was the heart of the team and Andres Iniesta secured composure. Jordi Alba was given more attacking options in the absence of Neymar and the Spaniard ensured the team was never short of creativity.
Moreover, the Blaugrana have used their wings to support attacks more frequently this season, with Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto helping in moving the ball forward. Valverde has also introduced a method of absorbing opponents in the first half before attacking with great intensity in the half. With this method, the Catalans destroyed Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on December 23, 2017.
With Valverde in the club, the Catalans will get even better as time goes on.
3) El-Classico Revenge
What goes around comes around, they say. Real Madrid might have forgotten how much they hurt the Barcelona fans during the Supercopa de Espana. But there was something clearly written on the minds of the Camp Nou faithful ahead of their first El-Classico match this season. That is REVENGE.
After Los Blancos humiliated their fierce rivals in the Spanish Super Cup, the Barca fans were looking forward to a revenge as early as possible. To their favor, the two giants met in their first El-Classico match of the season. The match took place on the 23rd of December 2017 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The game started with great intensity, with the Madrid side playing with a lot of pressure to secure a goalless draw in the first-half. However, the Blaugrana finally got their chance to inflict pain on their eternal rivals when Luis Suarez put them ahead in the second half. A penalty kick from Lionel Messi and a brilliant shot from Aleix Vidal ensured that the match ended 0-3 in favor of the Catalans.
Real Madrid were humiliated in front of their own fans. What a brilliant revenge!
2) Philippe Coutinho's Signing
When Neymar departed for Paris Saint Germain, the Brazillian left a very big hole in the Barcelona squad. With the transfer window still open, the Catalans became very desperate to sign a replacement in his place. Therefore, they highlighted Borussia Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele and Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho to replace the winger.
Although the Blaugrana signed Dembele in the summer, Liverpool refused to sell their star man despite two mega bids from the Camp Nou giants. Therefore, they had to count on their young and developing signing to impress and fill the huge hole that was left vacant in the squad. However, it was quite unfortunate that the French winger could not meet up with the expectations, as he suffered a terrible injury that ruled him out for about eight weeks.
At that moment, it was clear that the Catalans still needed to sign their Brazillian target. Their fans became desperate and urged the club to sign the playmaker They supported the move by voting in many polls on the internet as well as various banners in their stadium.
During the winter transfer window, Barcelona attempted to sign the Brazillian again. This time, they won the race for the attacker and brought him to the Camp Nou in a deal worth £142million. A lot of Barcelona fans went to his unveiling at the Camp Nou to express their joy.
Philippe Coutinho has been steadily adapting to life in Barcelona and has put up some impressive displays this season to justify his transfer fee. So far, the Brazillian has contributed 2 goals and 5 assists in 12 La Liga appearances. He also has one goal to his name in the Copa Del Rey.
The former Liverpool man has featured in several positions for his new club. He has played as a winger on both flanks as well as a midfielder on the left. With the Brazillian in the club, they have a beautiful future ahead.
1) The Unbeaten Run
After a slow start to the season, the Catalans have finally reinstated their position as one of the most dominant football teams in Europe. They have been one of the most impressive teams so far in the season. Unlike in recent years, Barcelona defense this year has been a real force in their title charge. Their defenders have been at a super level with their massive contributions this term.
Great efforts deserve great results. The Blaugrana are on course to set amazing records this season with their fantastic efforts and brilliant performances. They are on course to finish the season on a very high note with their impressive unbeaten record in La Liga.
The Blaugrana are yet to taste a single defeat in the Spanish top flight this term. Out of the 32 matches they have played in the league this season, they have won 25, drawn 7 and lost none, with just Sevilla, Las Palmas, Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Celta Vigo, Espanyol and Getafe capable of even taking a point off them. Moreover, they have also conceded 17 goals and scored 81 in the Spanish top flight. They are the only team across Europe's top-5 leagues to hold such an amazing record this season. Brilliant!
