The
CL champions of 2008-09 are out to recover the title after being eliminated
last year in the semi-finals by Inter. Presenting an ever-firmer squad, Barcelona
are amothe favourites to hoist aloft the 2010-2011 trophy.
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
Considered the best team
in the world, Barcelona currently have so many strengths that some regard this
Cule team as the best squad ever. Some of its strong points are the advanced
pressure on the opponent team due to a great range of attacking options; the
early and swift recovery of the ball; and the versatility on show when
attacking. Pep Guardiola has achieved an automatic style of football that his
team executes perfectly - a system based on possession, pressing and attacking.
The main weakness this season is a relatively limited roster, which may cause
problems in advanced stages of the competition, when injuries and fatigue
appear. This is especially true in the centre of defence.
STARS & KEY PLAYER
Barcelona is can field a
team with at least 11 stars. It is not easy to favour a single player among the
vast pantheon of outstanding players wearing the Blaugrana shirt. However, two
members of the squad stand out: two artists of the ball, allegedly two of the
best five players of the world, and two men that provide dreams for every head
coach and nightmares for every opponent team: Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez.
The Argentine was
elected by the readers of Goal.com as the best player of the season, one more
acknowledgement of a sensational career in which ' La Pulga' has won each and
every title, individual or with his club, that a player can dream of. His
team-mate Xavi is quite simply the best play-maker in the world. The midfield
wizard led Spain to the European and World Championship with sensational
imagination, speed, control of the ball and vision of the game that makes him
the perfect team player. Striker David Villa, centre-back Gerard Pique and
midfield Andres Iniesta are other key players and again the envy of coaches
worldwide.
COACH & TACTICS
It is not easy to figure
out a given tactic for a team lead by a strategist such as Guardiola. The
mobility of his players discards any basic idea on paper, as Barcelona play
with one goal only: beat their opponents, regardless of systems or tactics.
4-3-3? Maybe. 4-3-2-1? Sometimes. The reality is that Barcelona play
total football, often attacking with at least 7 players, and making continuous
relays and changes of position.
Those who think that
Guardiola is successful because of his players should think twice, as the
Catalan head coach executes outstanding work, setting up the collective lines
of playing of the squad. Those who minimize the labour of Guardiola should see
closely continuous examples of the virtues of the former international
midfielder, as in the historic 6-2 victory against Real Madrid. It doesn’t
translate well to the written word, but this is tactical football at its most
effective.
SUCCESSES
Barcelona are
experiencing one of the most successful eras in the history of the sport. Their
six titles achieved two seasons ago was record-breaking, completing for the
first time ever a perfect run in the season, winning all possible competitions:
Spanish League, Spanish Cup, European Supercup, World Club Championship and
Champions League. This is a trophy haul that may never be matched.
STADIUM
Camp Nou is the field of
the dreams for the Cules. Inaugurated in 1957, the 'New Field' has a capacity
of 98,787, making it the biggest arena in the continent and tenth largest in
the world, and the one with more capacity than all the UEFA Elite stadiums: a
perfect setting for a team like the Blaugrana.
HERO OF THE FANS
Catalan-born captain Carles Puyol is one of the biggest heroes, as
he represents most of the principles of the club. Xavi Hernandez and Andres
Iniesta are also fan favourites; likewise Lionel Messi, who may be Argentinean
but was raised in the grassroots program of the Catalan club.