4 Reasons why Luis Enrique is the right man to manage FC Barcelona

Luis Enrique has proved his critics wrong over the last few weeksFC Barcelona hit crisis when they lost away to David Moyes’s Real Sociedad. Rumors of a rift between star player Lionel Messi and manager Luis Enrique came to shore after Enrique benched Messi. Messi then decided skip the training session. Calls for Enrique’s sacking started taking place and the club hit crisis when their Sports Director Andoni Zubizarreta was sacked and presidential elections were called for after the season. However, on the field the team started performing well and are currently on an 8 match unbeaten run with the Copa del Rey in striking distance after the elimination of their 2 main rivals – Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.Amidst the crisis, Enrique’s side managed to beat Atletico Madrid thrice in one month, a feat they couldn’t achieve in 6 meetings last season. Their ability to break strong defences has increased and their magnificent attacking trio – MSN looks more and more formidable with each game. What has Enrique done that has instilled the fear factor of the Guardiola era? This article explores a few of the improvements he has made since becoming the manager.

#1 Use of La Masia Players

With the transfer ban looming over FC Barcelona, the youth system has become an integral part of the team. Luis Enrique is actually the only manager for Barcelona to have given a chance to so many talented youngsters since Pep Guardiola left for Bayern Munich. Barcelona have one of the best youth systems in the world, producing legends like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta among many others.This season has already shown us the bright future they have in their ranks.

Luis Enrique has given a chance to many talented players like Sandro Ramirez, Alen Halilovic, Gerard Gumbau, Munir El Haddadi, Adama Traore, Edgar Ie, Sergi Samper and Jordi Masip who all have made their first team debuts this season. They showcased their talents in the Copa del Rey fixtures against Huesca, where they won 4-0 away and 8-1 at home. These youngsters give some rest to stars like Messi and Neymar and hence reduce their workload.

Last season, this immense workload led to a serious injury to Lionel Messi, Victor Valdes and Carles Puyol. Enrique’s squad rotations have ensured that no player has been seriously injured apart from Thomas Vermalen, who was injured even before joining the Catalan giants.This has kept them fit, fresh and raring to go in every game they play and also allowed youngsters to show their worth on the big stage.

#2 Strengthened Defence

Gerard Pique has slowly come back to his best

Their attacking might was well known and at the start of the season and their only weak link was the defence. FC Barcelona have conceded only 11 goals in 21 league games and 5 goals in 6 Champions League games. They bought Jeremy Mathieu in the transfer window along with Thomas Vermaelen. While Vermaelen hasn’t played a game, Mathieu has been quite solid at the back. Gerard Pique is slowly coming back to his best and Mascherano has been as dependable as always.

A goalkeeper has to be good enough to back his defence. Barcelona have bought 2 very solid goalkeepers in the form of Claudio Bravo and Marc Ander Ter Stegen. Bravo plays in the league and Ter Stegen plays in the Champions League and Copa del Rey. The cup rotation policy seems to have worked for them as Bravo has kept 13 clean sheets in 21 games and Ter Stegen has kept 7 clean sheets in 11 games.

These magnificent defensive statistics have been maintained even after deploying the high pressing game that FC Barcelona are famous for. Even the forwards like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have helped the defence along with midfielders like Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in Enrique’s Barcelona.

#3 Amazing Chemistry between Neymar and Messi

Anyone who has followed Barcelona this season will probably start raving about the amazing understanding between the Brazilian and Argentinian.Messi has set Neymar up many times this season and so has Neymar.Neymar,who ended with 9 league goals last season and has already reached the 15 goal mark in the league this season.This dazzling chemistry was expected last season but Neymar was still struggling to find his feet in European football and Messi had injury problems. Neymar and Messi have already scored a total of 54 goals in this season with 22 and 32 respectively.

What has helped is the fact that Enrique has deployed Messi in a deeper role,which has helped him play balls through to Neymar.The chemistry and understanding have made them the best duo in world football now,with only Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas coming to mind.Their passing and one two’s in the counter attacks can scareany defence in Europe.

#4 Learning quickly from mistakes

Every Barcelona fan will agree with the fact that Luis Enrique has made his fair share of mistakes. However, a great man always learns from his mistakes. The 1st leg against Paris St. Germain and the league game against Real Madrid exposed Barca’s defence’s slowness to counter-attacks from the likes of Cavani, Ronaldo etc. However, he learnt very quickly which was seen in Barca’s defensive solidity in the 2nd half versus PSG at the Camp Nou, which they went on to win 3-1.

Last season’s problems against Atletico Madrid were completely forgotten as Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid thrice this season by scores of 3-1, 1-0 and 3-2. Barcelona had to reduce their passing game and rely on long passes and quick counter attacks in order to break one of the best defences in Europe. The 3-2 victory at the Calderon also showed that Enrique’s side were willing to outscore their opposition, which they did with ease.

Sacking Enrique now seems to be out of the question, and if the team manages to grasp into any kind of silverware, the chances that he will remain Barcelona’s manager next season will grow stronger.