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The Catalan side have been knocked out from the Champions League (UCL) three times in a row since 2016. They have shown a lack of dedication and team strength in all of the UCL quarter-final second legs' since 2016. The fans are upset with their performance in the Champions League and they will certainly expect at least a UCL final berth, this season.
Barcelona have only won the UCL once in the last 7 years, whereas Real Madrid have pocketed four. A team like Barca is expected to challenge for the Champions League every single year.
These are 5 things that they must do in order to win the CL and the two domestic trophies.
#5 Get a worthy competitor for Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez has cemented his place as one of the best strikers of this decade by a mile. His time at Ajax and Liverpool was splendid, and he continued the same form at Barcelona. The MSN (Messi-Suarez-Neymar) have scored a staggering 364 goals in 450 games across all competitions for Barcelona.
In the 2015-16 season, Suarez scored a total of 40 goals in just 35 games, with 16 assists to his name as well. Although, since the past two years, Suarez has not been in his best form. He scored just once in a total of 10 games in the past season’s UCL, and only thrice in 9 games in the 2016-17 season.
One of the reasons why Suarez has underperformed could be a lack of competition on the bench. Suarez on his worst day could still give a bit of competition to Munir or Paco at their best.
Griezmann was heavily linked to Barcelona and this must have certainly pressurized Suarez, but the deal didn’t go through. Malcom is a winger, but could certainly play as a striker.
Munir has improved significantly at Deportivo Alaves and looks all set to stay, with Paco looking for a way out. However, this is not going to solve the Suarez conundrum.
The board might still look to bring in a player like Timo Werner, but since he disappointed at the World Cup, Bartomeu may look at other options. A strong competitor on the bench could make Suarez take things a little more seriously and could get the best out of him.
#4 Move Sergi Roberto into the midfield position
Sergi Roberto had always preferred to play as a midfielder, but Valverde had other plans. The challenges Sergi faced while playing as a right-back didn't seem to affect him, because the Spaniard did not disappoint at all. He was sensational playing as a right back and even managed to get Semedo benched, who has been a right back since the beginning of his career. But now, it’s time Valverde gives the RB spot to Semedo and moves Sergi up the field.
Valverde will either choose a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 system. Busquets and Rakitic have fixed their places and nobody at Barca can question their spots. Iniesta’s place might be taken by one of the two; either Arthur or Coutinho. Sergi Roberto plays brilliantly as a midfielder, however, Barcelona has a huge number of mid-fielders already competing for the first team spot.
In less important games, Busquets could be given rest as Rakitic plays good football as a CDM. Roberto can take Rakitic’s place as a CM, with either Arthur or Coutinho playing as a CAM.
Sergi Roberto can score, dribble and set up his teammates pretty well and hence is a tailor-made player for the central midfield position. It is high time that Ernesto Valverde recognizes this.
#3 Give Dembele more playing time
Dembele has done enough to deserve a starter position from next season and Malcom is a healthy competitor who will always keep the Frenchman on his toes. Dembele’s stats at Dortmund are astonishing, with many Premier League clubs still interested in his services.
The World Cup winner is heavily linked to Arsenal, but neither Abidal nor Valverde would let him go, as he has shown glimpses of what he can do if he gets playing time, despite being injured for more than half of the season.
With Malcom on the bench, Dembele might want to prove that he deserves the right wing. Even Coutinho can play as a winger, so things must be a little worrying for Dembele. He’s one of the greatest talents across Europe right now, and he’ll certainly do great with time.
#2 Trust Coutinho with Iniesta’s spot
The only player who deserves to take Iniesta’s spot in the Barcelona starting eleven is Philippe Coutinho. Last season he couldn't express himself completely because of all the pressure.
He still managed to score a hat trick in a game which Barcelona was losing by 5-1. He brought it to 5-4 and that shows how capable he is to bring the team up single-handedly. Coutinho is a great player and is pretty experienced, too. He is 25 and has been playing top-tier football since he was 16.
Coutinho is the player who should start along with Busquets and Rakitic in midfield. Rakitic and Busquets are two midfield maestros, and that allows him to freely make forward runs without the fear of getting dispossessed. If anyone seems promising enough to fill the enormous shoes of Iniesta, its Philippe Coutinho.
#1 Rest Leo Messi in un-important games
Barcelona has been heavily dependent on Messi. The little man is made to play every La Liga game and is rarely given a day off. He doesn't show tiredness in games, but I’m sure fatigue hits him hard as well. It’s the same with Busquets and Pique, too. Valverde needs to build trust on his bench players, and give them chances to play. Vermalean and Gomes are great players, and they can take the job with great determination.
Messi needs to be given rest in some La Liga games. He is the best player in the world, but he is a human being after all. You can’t be over-dependent on him. And in place of Messi, Dembele or Coutinho can take up the job.
Dembele is always more free when Messi is not around because their game style is similar. Dembele dribbles exactly like Messi, with immense pace and speed. Just that Messi is way better than Dembele in tight spaces. The Frenchman can certainly take up Messi’s job in games which are not crucial.
