Its was always going to sound irritating and stupid from any one or group that would have predicted the fall of Barcelona to this level back in 2008-2011.
A dorminant force in world football, second to none and setting the pace and standard of real, entertaining football garnished with flair, robust and mesmerism, Barcelona was a delight to watch.
With a group of players who complements each other, the question was always going to be "how many trophies will they lift? and not "whether they could".
There was hardly a season that Barcelona would not produce atleast a player for individual award both in Europe and world stage, justified by the four time crowning of the best footballer Lionel Messi who broke and set many of the club's and world records with his goal scoring exploits.
One man who made the 2008 - 2011 history making Barcelona side who they were is their then Dynamic, intelligent, exubberant and tactical manager, JOSEP GUARDIOLA.
The club former captain took over the hem of affairs from Frank Rjakard in 2008. He started by clearing out some expected deadwood among whom is the two time world player of the year, Ronaldinho which many saw as a mistake, but it wasnt the case as this visionarian went on to achieve a feet which no one has and no one might be able to achieve again at the Camp Nou.
Guardiola was the man who converted Leo Messi into a false no.9 where he has thrived so much the rest are stories.
He won a total of 14 out of 19 trophies contested for and a style of football envied throughout the world but things began to change when the former club captain said before he left his job.
"I could no longer motivate the players,".
One thing that worked well for Pep was his transfers, knowing the sorts of players he needed to exhibit his artistry, he did not hesitate to get them and even let go of the ones he felt was surplus to requirement.
After Pep left, managerial power have changed hands due to different reasons. Former manager and assistant to Pep himself, Tito Vilanova was force to leave his position on health ground.
Though he, Tito, started well in his first season gathering a total of 55 points from a possible 57, he did not have that special touch of Pep, when it comes to transfer.
Signing a player like Alex Song to cover for the ageing Carles Puyol was one hell of a mistake with all due respect to Alex. They never needed song, they needed a true defender, goalkeeper to cover for Valdes -appologies to Pinto- but they never addressed that.
Tata Martino had since climb the hot seat and also yet to address these pressing issues but instead being delusionally opted to live under the club's past glory.
Their midfield, which has been their power house, and ably orchestrated by the sublime Xavi Hernandez is not growing any younger and all they could is let His, Xavi's, umnderstudy in Thiago Alcatara leave the club with no replacement.
Their reliance on Messi for goals is beginning to take it toll on them. When the Argentin wizard was out injured, they struggle like a butterfly pupa trying to come out of its egg shell. He occassionally came on even when not completely fit to drag them out of shame as evident of the 2012/2013 champions league againt PSG and AC Milan.
But when he was almost unavailable in the semi final -no thanks to injuries- against Bayern munich, they were annihillated, battered, beaten and embarrassed by the eventual winners 7-0 on aggregate.
And of late, Barcelona have been brought down to earth by different teams, both in la liga, UCL and most recently, the copa del rey.
All these truely signals the end of an era, little wonder one the club's legend Johan Cryuff is calling for the reinstatement of former coach Pep Guardiola back as the manager.
"The best thing for Barcelona is for Guardiola to come back and I think Joan Laporta would sign him again"
Johan Cryuff
But is it really Pep they need now or a total restructuring and massive clear out? only time will tell.
No comments:
Post a Comment