No Messi, no problem for Barcelona

The narrative for the final game of the season was already written… wasn’t it?

Well, not quite.

Yes, Eibar have still never beaten Barcelona, but they were good value for at least a point against a disjointed and lacklustre side that already looked as though they were on their summer holidays.

Lionel Messi and Pedri, probably Barca’s two best performers throughout the 2020/21 campaign, were both given the day off, and though the Catalans certainly missed their incisiveness and industry, they never looked in trouble at Ipurua. Continue reading

Koeman is toast after Barcelona’s latest failure

It’s worth pointing out that there are lot of good things to have come out of Ronald Koeman’s tenure at Barcelona.

Not least the fact that he’s been brave enough to bring through youngsters that have changed the dynamic of the team and hinted at a bright future for the club.

After their worst start for over 30 years, the Dutchman recovered the team to such an extent that, until a couple of weeks ago, when a win against Granada would’ve meant the destination of the league title would be in their hands, they were still in the conversation for honours. Continue reading

Is Aguero the right man for Barcelona?

Though nothing has been signed or sealed as of this moment, the rumours are rife that Sergio Aguero will sign for Barcelona once the Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea has been played.

The Argentinian has had a storied career so far, having burst onto the European scene at Atletico Madrid before signing for Man City and becoming their all-time record goalscorer, including the strike which won them their first-ever Premier League title.

Soon to turn 33, the stocky centre-forward still knows where the goal is, but his injury record of late isn’t the best. Continue reading

More trouble brewing at Barcelona

There’s never a dull moment at Camp Nou these days.

If it’s not on-pitch issues that are causing heart attacks for Barcelona supporters, it’s the in-fighting behind the scenes.

Given how the season began, the club have to be happy with the job that Ronald Koeman has done to this point, however, it appears that he’s on a collision course with new president, Joan Laporta. Continue reading

Barcelona fail on the big stage again

Although there are still a few games to go of the current La Liga season, only the most optimistic of Barcelona fans will believe their team is in with a chance of winning the title now.

After a hugely surprising loss to Granada saw any advantage that they might’ve had in the title race evaporate, the Catalans had one last chance to put a marker down by beating an Atletico Madrid side that had been under par away from home in recent weeks.

A win over Diego Simeone’s side would’ve seen Barca top the table for the first time in 2020/21, but the blaugranes were toothless for long periods of the 0-0 draw. Continue reading

Old boys to decide Barcelona v Atletico?

Saturday afternoon sees the most important match of the season in La Liga.

Although Real Madrid and Sevilla, who meet on Sunday, might have something to say about that, the Barcelona v Atletico Madrid match is arguably the bigger game.

That’s because Atleti can boot Barca out of the title race with a win, and keep their noses ahead of Los Blancos and Sevilla with their destiny remaining in their own hands.

Barcelona simply have to win, and then hope that Sevilla can do them a favour on Sunday. Continue reading

Messi masterclass keeps Barca in the hunt

What a game to end the La Liga weekend, as Barca took all three points at Mestalla with a fantastic performance against an energetic Valencia side.

The blaugranes need to win all of their games between now and the end of the season to stand any chance of lifting the title, but even then it may not be enough.

Their loss to Granada on Thursday leaves the destination of the title out of their hands unless Real Madrid drop points. Continue reading

Barcelona fluff their lines in La Liga

Well, who would’ve thought it?

A team, in Granada, that on the previous 24 occasions they’d visited the Camp Nou they’d lost, coming away with a victory in a game that Barcelona needed to win to put them on top of the La Liga table for the first time in the 2020/21 campaign.

The Andalusians executed their game plan to the letter and got exactly what they deserved. Continue reading

Granada game the turning point for Barcelona?

A few days before any of the other La Liga teams play again, Barcelona go into battle at the Camp Nou against Granada.

The Andalusians have shown themselves to be no pushovers in the past, and even with home advantage, the Catalans can’t afford to be complacent.

It’s a game in hand of huge significance to Ronald Koeman’s men too.

If they were to emerge with the three points on Thursday night, they will sit atop the table for the first time this season, and with the destiny of the title absolutely in their own hands. Continue reading