'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After signing a couple of fantastic superstars including the likes of Malcom, Clement Lenglet, Arthur Melo, and Arturo Vidal during the summer transfer window, many expected Catalan giants, FC Barcelona to have it easy in LaLiga this season.
The fact that they even won their first 4 games in the Spanish top flight - defeating the likes of Deportivo Alaves, Real Valladolid, SD Huesca, and Real Sociedad, helped in raising those expectations, but their performances in each of their last 3 LaLiga matches were far from impressive.
A shocking defeat to Leganes and two disappointing draws with both Girona and Athletic Bilbao have put the Catalan giants under immense pressure, and they need to stand firm and ensure they overturn their poor form as soon as possible to compete for the Spanish title this season.
Therefore, we take a look at 5 Blaugrana superstars that need to step up their performances right now as the Catalans aim to return to winning ways in the Spanish top flight.
#5 Sergio Busquets
With Barcelona aiming to defend their LaLiga title this season, there is no doubt they need to return to their best quickly as there will be no room for slip-ups - considering the number of points they dropped in their last 3 fixtures in the Spanish top flight.
This implies that a major number of their superstars need to get back to their best level of performance in order to help the team move forward, with elite midfielder Sergio Busquets also one of them.
The Spanish superstar hasn't been at his best this season. Although he isn't far from that, he needs to ensure that he performs at his peak, because of how influential his role is in the Barcelona team.
#4 Ivan Rakitic
Croatian International Ivan Rakitic is also one of the few Barcelona superstars who needs to step up performances, as the Catalan giants continue with their chase for the LaLiga title this season.
Following a brilliant FIFA World Cup campaign in Russia, in which he helped his nation to the final of the prestigious tournament for the first time in their history, the midfielder is yet to return to his best for Barcelona in the Spanish top flight.
Rakitic hasn't been at his best for La Blaugrana in LaLiga this term, and the match against Athletic Bilbao is a big testament to this claim - with the Croatian appearing too sluggish, failing to make an impact, as well as struggling for consistency in each of his last few games in the division.
#3 Samuel Umtiti
Barcelona is a team well-known across the universe for its attacking prowess, intense pressing, and ball-circulating system, but they surprised everyone with their incredible defensive record in LaLiga last season.
The Catalans had the second-best defense throughout the campaign, conceding just 29 goals in 38 matches, and setting an unbelievable 36-game unbeaten record in the Spanish top flight. Samuel Umtiti in particular was a solid rock at the back, working hard to neutralise incoming attacks as well as providing rigidity and composure.
But following his heroics during the previous campaign, the Frenchman has struggled for form this season, putting up a couple of unconvincing performances, and failing to reach a similar level of impact in the Spanish top flight. The 24-year-old has been so sluggish, and has contributed to Barcelona's defensive woes this new term.
Although he is out injured at the moment, the Catalans will need him to regain his form when he returns from the sidelines, as they aim to compete for every trophy this season.
#2 Gerard Pique
Forming a perfect partnership with Samuel Umtiti at the heart of Barcelona's defense, Spanish International Gerard Pique impressed in the Spanish top flight during the previous campaign as the Catalans strolled to the LaLiga title.
But it is quite obvious that Pique has been far from his usual best ever since the beginning of the new season, failing to match the intensity of opposition attackers, struggling with his clearances, as well as committing too many errors which opponents have exploited to stun the Catalans in recent LaLiga matches.
The defender was singled out for blame during Barcelona's 2-2 draw with Girona after his mistakes gifted their neighbours 2 vital goals in the encounter, and his performances against the likes of Leganes and Athletic Bilbao weren't impressive either, causing the Catalans to lose a whopping 7 points in their last 3 games.
#1 Luis Suarez
A number of Barcelona superstars need to step up with their performances and take their games forward in LaLiga right now, with one of them being former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
The attacker has bagged 3 goals and 2 assists for La Blaugrana in the Spanish top flight this season, but more will be required of him as the Catalans aim to defend their LaLiga title during the campaign.
With the UEFA Champions League a priority for Barca this term, it is evident that Ernesto Valverde will opt to rest Lionel Messi for a couple of LaLiga fixtures, and that implies that the Catalans will need their number 9 to step up and fire them in front of goal during the campaign.
All stats via transfermarkt
