Cracks In The Barcelona Shell - April 2013

Barca’s capitulation to BAYERN MUNICH – Very odd that the likes of Wilson, and others I’ve heard pontificating post Tuesday night, was surprised by this performance and result. Not only has it been coming for weeks; they stumbled over the line against PSG, and despite a good 2nd leg against Milan, if Niang scores in the Camp Nou, a different story written, but this was against the strongest and most confident team in Europe at this current time. So many factors have resulted in this but still some choose to think this is the same team that stomped all over Man U at Wembley in 2011. 1) A poor summer recruitment policy. Alba has been a success as an attacking force but does not offer the opposite flank security when Alves is bombing forward others have done in the past, but overall will be a good signing long term. The same can’t be said for Song, who never was, or never will be good enough for FCB. Not only lacking in ability at this level but has not even displayed any indication in games that he has tried to compensate with 100% determination and effort, as another player Mascherano, not the greatest technically, has. So not good enough to fill the Keita or Busquets roles, and a million miles off being a top draw centre half. 2) This policy has resulted in a ludicrous over reliance on Pique (form has dipped) Puyol (injuries have increased) Mascherano (improved but not the real deal) Abidal (obvious reasons) and Bartra (could be a good player in the future but at the moment looks frightened and clearly not 100% trusted to step up by Tito/ coaching staff) Obviously Thiago Silva would have been the player to have filled a key gap, but once the newbie, repugnant riches of PSG got involved, there was no chance. A failure to target a credible back up found them wanting. A gamble that has failed. If the 4 key centre backs had stayed fit and with form, they probably wouldn’t be in the mess they are now, but a big lesson learned. 3) Injuries/ loss of form – All of the above, plus Xavi – knackered and playing at 85% at best I would say for most of the season. Busquets – dip in form and according to Sid Lowe (I think) another one carrying long term injury. Villa – not the same player after a series of bad breaks. Messi – only for a very small portion, but just at the wrong time. This guy is so unique, not someone who’s loss can be covered. Cesc – although not been inflicted with injuries, his form has been very erratic and suffers from not having any sort of defined role. He’s no false 9 long term but cannot shift any of the three key midfield players, so will have to bide his time. The same could be said for Thiago Alcantara, not shown anything to write home about this season. Not really sure why Tello has not been utilised more in the big games. Yes still raw, but direct, can score a goal from wide, and has a physical presence much needed against powerful opposition like Bayern. Both wide players on Tuesday, Sanchez and to a lesser extent Pedro, have pretty much bombed this season. 4) Illness – The biggest factor dominating the club for all but the opening few months of 2012-13. Tito Vilanova - The poor guy doesn’t look right and yes it can only be speculation, but after such a major part of your life being affected this way; very difficult to recuperate fully in such a high profile mentally and physically stressful position. The enormity of the effect on everyone else at the club has also got to be a major factor. The players, Jordi Roura and the rest of the coaching staff and club officials. Leaving aside all the other factors, IMO this has steered the course of the season. It was only in November or December that SOME were contemplating that the slight technical changes in style and goals of these opening matches, could be a sign that Tito was moving the club on from Pep! Not the case of course and I think those saying that Pep could see some of the writing on the wall is probably true, but honestly what would have happened with Tito in full health, for the whole season? We mustn’t forget the problems that have affected Abidal as well, no one could be criticised for thinking sod football, all that matters is a clean bill of health for both, above all else. It’s possible that the end of the Pep era ‘best team in the world’ is going through its final moments (another league title) but it’s certainly not the beginning of any sort of period of major decline. Disagree that ‘outsiders’ haven’t worked, as has already been mentioned further up the thread; Eto'o and Villa have been major parts at keys times to the team. Of recent years add in Keita, Ronaldinho, Deco, Giuly, Larsson, Henry, Belletti who have all played their own part in different degrees. Tuesday night was always a big possibility as long as they stayed in the tournament, but in reality it plays a very small part in the current status of FCB.