The UEFA Champions League, for years now, has been Barcelona’s Achilles Heel. The Blaugrana have struggled in Europe time and time again for it all appears to fall apart under the high pressure the competition brings with it.
Xavi Hernandez improved the team partially on that front last season, taking them to the quarterfinal of the competition and in a great position to qualify for the semis. An unfortunate red card, however, cost them their place in the final four.
This year, the competition returns in a brand-new format with a league stage replacing the group stage.
Yesterday, the club found out the list of eight rivals they must conquer if they are to qualify for the next stage as well.
As the UCL calendar year dawns upon Catalonia, one is forced to ask the same question that has become a constant year after year – Is this Barcelona’s time? While the team is still indeed raw, there is good reason to believe in their chances.
Fresh ideas go a long way
The world of football favours those who experiment, attempt to progress and adapt to different styles. Barcelona, however, distanced themselves from that approach for a long time.
With the ideology stagnant for the better part of the past decade, the Blaugrana have struggled to combat the new weapons that opponents constantly invent against their predictable style.
Hansi Flick’s arrival, thus, is a deviation from Barcelona’s core ideologies and could thus be the key that sets them free in Europe.
New manager, new ideas. (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)
The German tactician indeed advocates a possession-dominant style that builds on cohesive build-up play. However, his style of football and attacking transitions are far more direct than the Catalans are associated with.
Barcelona’s first three games of the season displayed more vertical football, attacking intent and chance creation than the team showed last season. With a direct style of…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-have-a-team-to-compete-at-champions-league-level-this-season-opinion/
Author : Adithya Eshwarla
Publish date : 2024-08-30 08:25:00
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