Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of FC Barcelona ahead of the 2018/19 season

#1 Creativity in midfield

Is Coutinho the heir to Iniesta?

During the first half of last season, Barcelona suffered to a great extent in the creative department. Though they strolled past opponents in the domestic games and almost went unbeaten, they clearly suffered in the departments of playmaking.

Iniesta, though good, could no longer play week in week out. Rakitic, on the other hand, concentrates more on the defensive aspects of the game and helps in controlling the tempo of the game. In the end, Messi had to take up the job of creating chances, dropping deep into his own half and initiating attacks.

However, with the arrival of Coutinho in January and the Arthur during this summer, creativity should not be a problem anymore. Coutinho has already fit well into the Barcelona culture and will only get better this season. Sergio Roberto and Denis Suarez provide decent option from the bench.

The Barcelona midfield looks much superior this season, and midfielders on the bench are in abundance. A team with such fine midfielders can never be written off.