The 9th of March will undoubtedly go down in history for Barcelona’s incredible comeback win against PSG and the eventual progression to the Champions League quarter-finals. Statisticians, pundits and probably a few players themselves had written off the Catalan giants, and it is a testament to the ethos of the club in the way they came despite the odds.
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Despite going on to lose the game following the tie against Deprotivo, there is no denying the fact that they are on an upward curve, as was evident in their performance against a very good Valencia side in the La Liga. Their next rivals in the Champions League might be the mighty Juventus, but Barcelona will have the favourites tag dangling around their necks from among the last eight clubs left in the competition.
#1 Luis Enrique’s announcement timing
Luis Enrique was under pressure throughout this season. His work off the field has been criticized at almost each juncture of the season, or whenever the Blaugrana had a negative result.
So it was expected that there will be a re-thinking process involved at the end of the season at the home of the Spanish champions. His contract ended this year, and speculation grew since January. The first leg result put things on the over-boil and pushed the former Roma coach off the hot seat, and confirmed perhaps his imminent exit from the club.
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The results since then have shown that it is an inspired decision, with one ever since and have taken over from Real Madrid at the helm of the La Liga table. Gone is the ponderous football, and gone is the underperformance of his star players, and has been replaced with renewed vigor and vibrancy.
He has even decided to change the system that Barcelona essentially played with for the best part of the last decade, employing a back three which has taken the wheels off the fullbacks and the midfielders who are much more comfortable going forward than defending their box.
It’s still early days, but Luis Enrique perhaps made the announcement with the hope of reinvigorating his squad, and in the short term it looks like the perfect decision at the most opportune timing.
#2 Neymar’s form in big games
There was a time when you stopped Messi, and you stopped Barcelona. However difficult that is, and however loudly you argue against the notion, it was to an extent an accurate judgment.
But, the Brazilian prodigy Neymar seems to finally emerge from the shadows of his famous Argentine compatriot. His finish against Sporting Gijon showed the confidence and finesse in his game recently missing and what actually made him one of the most sought after players in Europe.
The former Santos man feeds of the limelight like few others in Europe. His performances during the World Cup in Brazil is an attestation to that notion, and if ever Lionel Messi had to pass on the baton to a successor, a 25-year-old Neymar is a perfect candidate being the first successor from among the many pretenders.
#3 Lionel Messi’s contract situation at Barcelona
There is absolutely no doubt to the fact that a Lionel Messi at the peak of his powers is as good as (perhaps better) than any other player in the world.
Therefore his contract situation at Barcelona is a something which will garner curious glances from potential suitors as well as passionate fans. One of the major rumors around his contract seems to be that the Argentine wants parity with the best-paid players in the World (oh China what have you done!), and the Barcelona board are coy to pay those insane numbers.
His trophy cabinet at international level might be the subject of memes and jokes, but it will be impossible to argue against his club credentials and honors. He has achieved more than people would have imagined at a personal level for his club, but for the first time in a long time, he may have something to prove at club level.
Another Champions League campaign won riding on his brilliance would effectively make tie the hands of Josep Bartomeu and his pals. What Lionel Messi wants Lionel Messi normally does, and if on song, there are a handful who are capable of stopping him.
#4 Momentum and the air of invincibility
Sir Alex Ferguson famously said that one of the keys to Manchester United winning the treble was the momentum they had of winning game after game. Momentum helped create the biggest underdog story of Leicester City last year as they secured the Premier league crown.
Barcelona, with the side they have, if have momentum in their corner will be no doubt a different prospect for any team. They are two points off the table in La Liga and are brushing aside sides like a poorly made side dish during the morning brunch.
Add to that a comeback of mythical proportions and suddenly opponents will start losing games as they emerge from the tunnel at Camp Nou, something which has happened in the past, and can more than likely happen again in the future.
#5 The treble is on the line
Not a lot of teams can boast of winning the treble. Manchester United have done it in England, Inter Milan have done it in Italy, Bayern Munich in Germany and Barcelona have done it a record two times in Spain.
This is their chance to extend that record. They are in the finals of the Copa del Rey, and with the traditional big teams already knocked out and Alaves in the finals, the trophy in all likeliness is coming to the Camp Nou. They are just behind Real Madrid in the La Liga table with the El Classico still scheduled to take place.
The Champions League is the only other trophy in question, and with the experience, that member of this team has (Sergio Busquets, Andreas Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, have won it thrice), and might be the biggest motivation for the current pool of players.
