The great Johan Cruyff once remarked, “In Barça, there are only two mindsets; either we’re the best in the world or we’re the worst.”
Nothing describes the Blaugrana more aptly. For example, Luis Enrique went from being the best coach on the planet to a despicable human being after less than three seasons at the club – winning nine trophies in that timespan. The ideology that was initially considered refreshing turned into a symbol of arrogance for the fans, albeit a little nonsensically. And in all fairness, that would only be the tip of the iceberg when describing the mentality of Barça fans.
For any other club in the world, a domestic double would be seen as a fantastic achievement. An immense display of strength and consistency is required to achieve the league title AND the domestic cup – especially in a nation where David slaying Goliath is not an anomaly. Just ask Real Madrid.
If we roll back to the beginning of the season, it was a horrifying summer break. Valverde was appointed as Luis Enrique’s successor – a coach with no proven pedigree and a knack for ‘un-Barça-esque’ physical, counter-attacking football. Barça lost the heir-apparent to Messi’s throne and haphazardly bought Dembélé in the closing stages of the transfer window. To make matters worse, Real Madrid thrashed Barça 5-1 in the Spanish Super Cup to add salt to the club’s wounds.
Predictions about the end of Barça’s cycle began to make the rounds on social media. Supposed analysts began documenting how Messi should join Guardiola in Manchester if he is to save his career. The atmosphere surrounding Camp Nou was gloomy and uncertain. Even our inner optimists began bracing for a trophy-less season.
Now that we’ve reached the end of the season, Barça have fared ludicrously well compared to what the expectations were in August. This is where the Barça mentality kicks in. Valverde has been under fire from all directions for a plethora of reasons – including his side’s ‘lack of Barça DNA’ and his failure to integrate La Masia youngsters into the squad.
The more you dominate during the season, the more your chances grow; the more you expect it, the less exciting winning the title becomes. Barcelona have sealed La Liga since February and come May, the buzz around their triumph has inevitably dimmed.
To undermine their dominance is a crime. Bettering the most competitive squad in recent history (as the UCL proves) by 15+ points is a remarkable feat. Even when December’s Clásico was hyped up to be the game that blew the league wide open, Barça bettered their arch-rivals at the Bernabéu – a recurring trend which Blaugrana faithful won’t want to see the end of.
It’s easy to come forth in April, the only period of the season when the UCL takes centre-stage, and ask: “What’s more important, the UCL or La Liga?” Add to that the fact that the league’s basically been done and dusted for several months now, and the questions comes off as rather absurd.
The truth is, from August to February, no one was even thinking about the UCL (including Madridistas). Everyone wanted to get a foothold in the league.
Barcelona are La Liga champions for the 25th time! pic.twitter.com/ml4EY1DBHe
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 29, 2018
Admittedly, Valverde is yet to deliver on many promises. The youth has featured less and less in the side’s record-shattering course to an almost invincible campaign. Dembélé has not integrated completely into the set-up. Poor tactics have limited the side to a fairly rigid 4-4-2 without a recognized controller – unlike past Barcelona teams. The side is heavily dependent on Messi and his other-worldly consistency, and the outgoing Iniesta is leaving without a legitimate heir. Even Coutinho is yet to adapt to the midfield and often ends up being deployed as a winger. The recent loss vs. Levante was another horror-show from the Catalan giants as Yerry Mina reinforced Valverde’s lack of faith in his abilities.
The most prominent failure, of course, was the Roma debacle. In the most absurd way possible, Barça squandered a 4-1 lead at the Stadio Olimpico. It was a cowardly showing by the Blaugrana as the team resorted to hoof-the-ball tactics in an attempt to defend the lead. Devoid of clear instructions and lacking penetrative width to keep the Roma full-backs at bay, the Italians ran riot. It was arguably the worst Barça match I’ve ever witnessed – and I saw Bayern dismantle us 7-0 on aggregate.
In my honest opinion, the gaffer has given enough to last another season at the helm. Barça face the possibility of ending the season with only one defeat in the entire league campaign. An even more remarkable achievement keeping in mind that the last side to end the season as Invincibles in Spain did so in the 1920s, when the league was accustomed to a 10-game format.
Barcelona fall just short of immortality. pic.twitter.com/wJTG6DUGMz
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 13, 2018
The side has showed confidence and resilience to fight through a tough fixture list. And it has all been centred around Leo – which should always be the case. Why have football’s all-time greatest player on your side, and not build your play around him? The Roma debacle gives contrary opinions some validation, but the burden must be shared by everybody. Barça players should have fared better, and it was undoubtedly a collective disaster.
However, one night can not undermine a season of success and dominance. With no pressure to stop the chaotic downfall (which was one of the reasons for the side’s conservatism), one would expect the team to play better; integrate youth better; dominate the midfield better. Next season will prove to be Ernesto Valverde’s real test as he attempts to win over Blaugrana hearts and grow in stature.
Until then, we should all revel in what has been a phenomenal campaign. As time passes and everyone gains a little perspective, it’ll all become a lot easier to appreciate.