Former Spanish and European champions Barcelona are having a torrid time in the current situation, which has continued to bog them down against all their opponents since the ending days of the last term. After losing out to arch rivals Real Madrid to the Spanish La Liga title, they also lost their quarter final matchup against the Italian champions Juventus in the Champions League. A win in the final of the Copa Del Rey came as the only consolation for the Blaugrana at the end of a forgettable last season.
They started off their campaign this term with a loss in their first competitive match of the season, the Spanish Super Cup, in which they were defeated with an aggregate of 5-1 by their arch rivals and reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid. To add to the disappointment of their fans, the Catalan Club lost the Brazilian superstar Neymar, who made a switch to the French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint Germain for a world record transfer fee.
If losing the Brazilian skipper was not enough for the Catalans, they have been struck with a hefty blow as their other main man in the frontline, Luis Suarez, has been confirmed to miss the action for the next one month, leaving only Lionel Messi to do the damage to the opponents in the upcoming ties.
The situation being absolutely tumultuous for the former Spanish La Liga champions, the new coach Ernesto Valverde, who took the charge after the departure of Luis Enrique at the end of the last term, can look up to the following players to provide him with some hope in the forthcoming season-
Lionel Messi-
It is time for the inspirational Argentine and arguably the best player in the world to step as the “Messiah” for his beloved team and get them out of trouble until reinforcements arrive to ease him off. The 30-year-old has done this before as well, so it will be nothing new for him to carry out the daunting task of taking Barcelona to the top of the League, both in Spain as well as in Europe in the new season.
Ivan Rakitic-
The Croatian midfielder has been one of the main players in the last few seasons in the ranks for the Catalan club, and he will have to step up once again to take the impetus to turn the tables in the positive direction for the former Spanish champions and help them attain the lost glory once again.
Sergio Busquets-
The Spanish enforcer has been one of the mainstays in the midfield for the Blaugrana, and they will like him to keep doing all the hard work in the centre of the midfield to keep the opponents away from the ball, thus helping to bring back the glory days to Nou Camp in the new term.
