Luis Enrique’s men are ready to defend their title, when they kick off this season’s campaign against Real Betis, at Camp Nou. Barcelona needed a win in the last match of the season to become champions of Spain for the second consecutive time, and they did it in style, thanks to Luis Suarez’s hat-trick.
Barcelona were in sensational form last season, but insufficient backup for MSN proved costly as they were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarters against Spanish rivals, Atletico Madrid. However, Barca fans won’t be too disappointed as they completed the domestic double last season, after lifting the Copa Del Rey.
Enrique has made 4 signings this transfer window - Lucas Digne, to challenge Alba for a left-back spot, Samuel Umiti to provide cover for the aging defensive duo of Pique and Mascherano, Denis Suarez to give some much-needed back-up to MSN and their most expensive signing this summer, Andre Gomes.
The Barcelona first-team at the start of the season might not be much different from the one that emerged as La Liga 2015-16 champion. Let’s take a look at Barcelona’s best XI for 2016-17 season:
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
Barcelona boss, Luis Enrique has apparently decided to give the young German a chance in goal ahead of Chilean, Claudio Bravo. The German keeper had publicly come out to express his disappointment at not getting a shot of being the No. 1 keeper in La Liga last season.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach No.1 got a shot in the latter end of the season to prove himself, and he didn’t disappoint.
However, he has messed up at critical points which put Barcelona under a lot of pressure, especially in their Champions League outing. Come the new season, Barca are prepared to give him a proper chance to prove his point.
He’s been talking the talk for quite some time now, but it’s time for the 24-year old German to walk the walk when the Spanish Giants start their quest of La Liga 2016-17.
Defenders
Left-back: Jordi Alba
It can sometimes be very frustrating to see Jordi Alba play at left-back, but he’s an absolute treat to watch when he’s on song. Maddeningly inconsistent, Alba might not necessarily be a first-team choice for the entire season, but if he can work on consistency, he’ll be impossible to keep out of the starting 11.
Alba’s biggest competition to his left-back spot is Barca’s latest recruit from PSG, Lucas Digne. He spent the last season on loan at Roma, where he netted 3 goals in 37 appearances. He’s impressed many and is a bright prospect. Digne will have to pounce on whatever opportunity he gets and challenge Alba for the left-back spot, which Adriano clearly failed to do.
With another experienced defender in Dani Alves headed out of Camp Nou, it’s Alba’s time to step up and spearhead Barca’s defence alongside Pique.
Centre-back: Javier Mascherano
The veteran Argentine might be entering the twilight of his career but he still has a lot to offer after a brilliant La Liga 2016-17. Mascherano was Enrique’s No.1 choice at centre-back along with Pique.
Perfect timing to make early interceptions and snuff out threatening attacks makes Mascherano Barca’s best choice at centre-back, despite the recent signing of Samuel Umtiti.
Mascherano’s challenger for the spot is Umtiti, who recently moved from Lyon. The U20 FIFA World Cup Winner with France possesses plenty of pace and sound aerial ability. He can be Barca’s long term replacement for Mascherano, and his class was on display when he featured against Iceland in the Euro quarters. Umtiti certainly has the class to be Baraca’s perfect fit at centre-back.
Mascherano will have a hard task of holding on to his with Umtiti waiting on the sidelines, but the experienced Argentine will have a slight edge over Umtiti in the starting line-up.
Centre-back: Gerard Pique
The centre-back pairing of Gerard Pique and Mascherano has served Barca well, and Enrique will look to put his trust on the experienced duo once again to do the job.
Pique is a classic central defender and his distribution of the ball from defence is surprisingly underrated. His ability to transform defence into attack has many a time led to the foundation of a devastating Barca attack.
His only problem is that he doesn’t remain as athletic as he once used to be and lacks pace, which can be a problem against fast counter-attacks. However, he makes up for it by brilliantly intercepting long balls, and has a knack of scoring goals at crucial times.
Pique proved his class once again after a brilliant La Liga 2015-16, and the Spaniard will spearhead Barca’s defence.
Right-back: Sergi Roberto
Dani Alves has left huge boots to fill at right-back as he made the position his for the last 8 years with no competition from anyone else. Alves revolutionized the full-back role and contributed majorly to both attack and defense.
Sergi Roberto is tipped to be the player to replace the Brazilian veteran after he burst into the limelight last season with a string of impressive performances.
Roberto filled in for Alves at right-back last season when he was injured, and he impressed the boss enough to let him play in midfield when Alves got back. Enrique will now hope that Roberto can fill the only weak link in Barca’s defence.
Roberto will face intense competition from Aleix Vidal for the starting spot in the line-up.
Midfielders
Central Midfield: Andres Iniesta
This is a no brainer. Even at 32, Iniesta remains one of the best midfielders in game right now, and the Spaniard looks more and more elegant with age. His wizardry was for all to see at the Euros, as his deliveries into the box left opposition defences in sixes and sevens.
Remember his run against PSG from his own half to the edge of the box to lay off a beautiful assist for Neymar? Iniesta still has a lot left to offer at Camp Nou.
Iniesta is as much a feature of Barcelona as LasRamblas, the Magic Fountain of Montjuic or the Camp Nou itself. He played a key role in Barca’s La Liga triumph last season, winning his 8th league title in 14 years at the club. Iniesta still has the legs and class to make a huge impact at the biggest stage, and Rakitic and Busquets have learned a lot from the wizard.
As Barcelona’s skipper, Iniesta will look to lead his club from the front to another La Liga for the Spanish giants.
Defensive Midfield: Sergio Busquets
Busquets is a brilliant holding midfielder for Barcelona and contributes to defence more than anyone in the forward lines.
He was exceptional last season and would make huge headlines anywhere else but it’s hard to get noticed when MSN steals the show week in, week out.
His presence in midfield let the likes of Alba and Alves to push up at every opportunity last season without the threat of getting punished on the counter. Busquets always managed to put in vital interceptions and snug off threatening counters.
Central Midfield: Ivan Rakitic
Ivan Rakitic has been one of Barcelona’s best signing in recent years and has featured in 50-odd games since his move from Sevilla. The Croatian took time to settle down at Camp Nou but has been a revelation since. Rakitic had massive boots of Barca legend Xavi to fill but he lived up to the challenge.
It was always going to be hard to replace Xavi but Enrique did a brilliant job by bringing in Rakitic. He was not a Xavi-esque player but just the player Barca needed to take the team towards a different yet extremely successful direction. The Croatian can play a quick passing game and is Barca’s engine when at his best.
The Croatian remains instrumental to Barcelona’s modus operandi in the upcoming season!
Forwards
Left Winger: Neymar
A key component of MSN, the Brazillian has been sensational since his move from Santos and has proved himself at the biggest stage of world football. Neymar has been regularly in the spotlight since his move in 2013 and is beginning to realise his full potential under the guidance of Messi.
Just like Ronaldinho mentored Messi in his early years to carry on his legacy, the Argentine is doing the same to develop Neymar into one of the greats. Judging by his development at Barcelona in the last 3 years, Neymar is one of the world’s most valuable forwards. And, all this at just 23!
New signing, Denis Suarez will give Neymar some much-needed competition in the forward line.
Right Winger: Lionel Messi
Another no brainer. One of the best of all times, Messi is a pivotal part of the Barcelona set up. He missed much of the last season due to injury but came back strong to score 26 goals.
However, this summer has been heartbreak for Messi after losing out on another final in the blue and white shirt of Argentina. He retired right after Argentina’s loss to Chile in the penalty shoot-out to lose their 2nd consecutive Copa final against the same opposition and in the same way, but changed his decision and is set to feature for Argentina again.
Can Messi bounce back after such a traumatic summer?
Striker: Luis Suarez
The holder of the Pichichi, Luis Suarez was at his outstanding best last season as he scored 40 goals. The defences found him impossible to stop and was further aided by the brilliance of Messi and Neymar.
He recorded a ridiculous 59 goals in all competitions last season to power Barca to the La Liga title. Suarez has surely proved worth all the risks that came along with him to Camp Nou two seasons back.
His prolific season confirmed his status as one of Europe’s best strikers. He’s surely going to be a regular starter for Barca, but Enrique will look to rotate his strikers around to give them sufficient rest before big match. Barca’s forwards tired at the end of the season and it clearly showed as they were knocked out of the Champions League.
Suarez, too, was left disappointed at Copa Centenario after Uruguay crashed out in the group stages. The La Liga defenders should get ready to bear the brunt of it.
Formation (4-3-3)
Barcelona will play in their trademark 4-3-3 formation which has been used to deadly effect for years. The full-backs will look to bomb forward and Busquets will drop deep and help out the central defenders when the full-backs attack.
In attack, Barcelona are fluid with quick interplay, taking on defenders at will and making incisive passes in the final third.
