FC Barcelona: Pre-Season Analysis

Team Name : FC BARCELONA

President: Josep Maria Bartomeu

Manager: Luis Enrique

Stadium: Camp Nou

 

In the season of 2015-16, the Catalonians had their fair share of excitement along the campaign. With trophies like the Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup , FIFA Club World Cup and La Liga, they did enjoy a fair bit of glory along with a few missed chances in the UEFA Champions League. With Luis Suarez winning the Pichichi award (highest goal scorer), and MSN finding their rhythm together, it was a season matched with brilliance in midfield with the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta. Statistically speaking, in their 62 official matches, they won 49, drew 9 and lost 7, with a winning aggregate of about 75%.

Manager: Track Record

Luis Enrique has been in-charge of the club since 2014. Although his arrival did stir a few bowls, ever since he took charge the club has been in great hands. In his managerial career with FCB, he has won 95 matches out of the 122 he has been a part of. With his consistent rotation of the keepers with trust in his defense and attacking positions of the team, he has been doing a terrific join at Barca. With the signings of Samuel Umtiti and Andre Gomes, it’ll be interesting to see how he proceeds with youngsters in his side.

Key Fixtures:

     

 Real Madrid (4/12/16 & 23/4/17): The rivalry goes down ages. The El-Classico is one of the matches no football fan looks forward to missing.Athletico Madrid (21/9/16 & 26/2/17): Last season, another part of Madrid threw Barca out of the Champions League. The blaugranas will surely be looking forward to having their revenge.Espanyol ( 18/12/16 & 30/4/17): The local rivaliry might not be as popular as the El Classico, but the Catalans sure do look forward to defeating the “other team from Barcelona”.

Key Players:

Luis Suarez: Last season, the striker went on to score 43 goals in the La Liga making him the most prolific player of the tournament. After his suspension from the game, he took the time to get back on his feet. But in the previous season, he proved his worth and would like to do the same the next season as well.

Lionel Messi: After the Pope himself declared Messi to be above “Maradona And Pele”, the Argentinian must be looking forward to getting back to scoring goals again. With Luis Suarez there up front, his role in the team has changed. Now Messi looks to assist Suarez and Neymar up front, with a pile of goals for himself as well.

Probable Line Up

Claudio Bravo(GK): With his exemplary performance in Copa America, he will be the Enrique’s first choice for the no.1 spot. He might get some action in the Champions League this season as well.

Jordi Alba(LB): Out due to injury, it might take a while to get the Spaniard back into action. Till then, we might see Lucas Digne, the latest signing from PSG in action.

Javier Maschereno(CB): The old veteran wall of Barcelona’s defense. He has been a regular for years, and might see Samuel Umtiti fill his shoes for a while. Till then, he’ll be there with his class in FCB’s defense.

Gerard Pique(CB): Another veteran of FCB’s defense, there haven’t been matches where these two have not delivered. However, he still needs to work on his back to goal instinct.

Aleix Vidal(RB): With Dani Alves gone, he is going to be the first choice for the position of right back. His performances in the friendlies have gained him appreciation from his manager and the fans.

Sergio Busquets (CDM): Arguably the most under-rated player of all time. Often called the backbone of Barca’s midfield, his vision will be needed in the new transforming Barcelona defense.

Andres Iniesta (C)(LCM): The captain of FCB. This legend has learned from the very best, which has transformed him into one of the greats of the game. His movement through the opposition still mesmerizes everyone around him.

Arda Turan(RCM): He has been Enrique’s choice over Ivan Rakitic. His role as a player and individual has grown through the season, and will be interesting to see in the upcoming one.

Neymar(LW): The Brazilian is the future of Barcelona. Soon, he’ll have to live up to the likes of his countrymen Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, etc., when the team needs him to.

Luis Suarez(CF): The top goal scorer of La Liga has been the transfer they needed. His close range precision with great control over the ball has taken Spain by storm.

Lionel Messi(RW): You don’t get the best to be “the best” for nothing. His presence on the team list is enough to send chills down the spines of the opposition.

–BRAVO–

–ALBA(DIGNE)-MASCHERANO-PIQUE(UMTITI)-VIDAL–

–BUSQUETS–

–INIESTA-TURAN(RAKITIC)–

–NEYMAR-SUAREZ-MESSI–

(4-1-2-3)