'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Mastermind Ernesto Valverde
The appointment of the former Athletic Bilbao manager to replace the departed Luis Enrique last summer evoked mixed reactions in the Blaugrana fanbase. This was because the fans were used to seeing former players or managers, who were connected to the club's roots, take over in this role. So, this move was seen as an oddity.
The optimism for the fans came from the fact that he managed Athletic Bilbao very well during his tenure, considering the Basque club's transfer policy to use only homegrown players in its first team. His Bilbao team was also known for pressing opponents, which is a welcome attribute in modern football. But pessimism leaked in due to the reason that the Spaniard was known for using a flat 4-4-2 formation throughout his career, and in some cases he even used a formation with 3 at the back. No one knew with certainty if he would adapt well to the style cherished at the Camp Nou.
Although Valverde used the default 4-3-3 during the pre-season and was vocal in press conferences that he'd be sticking to the same formation, the departure of Neymar and the long-term injury to new club record signing Ousmane Dembele gave the coach an incentive to go back to his beloved 4-4-2, citing the lack of wingers on the left and the need to tighten the midfield. Even though the fans were concerned that the new coach wasn't playing games the Barcelona way and was being more defensive, the positive results supported his decisions.
In January, Barça successfully convinced Liverpool of the inevitable conclusion to the Coutinho transfer saga as the Brazilian waved goodbye to Anfield. Soon, Dembele returned from his injury and the promising young Colombian Yerry Mina joined in the same window.
It was one of the best transfer windows for the club ever. The coach had real options on the bench this time, and the need to start playing "attractive football" rose a notch. The 6-1 thrashing of Girona raised hopes rapidly and every supporter welcomed the return to feisty football. That game, more importantly, seemed to solve everything related to tactics at the Catalan club.
Messi continued to make the difference, but in certain matches, it was obvious that they lacked proper pace and width. It was witnessed explicitly in the famous debacle in Rome. That match ended with them crashing out of the UCL and the inevitable crisis talks started rumbling again around the club. Valverde was criticised for his tactical ineptness and unwillingness to adapt his plan as the game progressed. The most discussed thing, however, was his poor management and the mentality he was bringing to a dugout full of stars.
Valverde will have no excuses to give whatsoever in the new campaign, and Barca faithful will keep their eyes peeled to see if he is truly the manager to take their beloved club to new heights.
