Barcelona seemed to have entered into the twilight of an undisputed dominance in Europe shortly after the 2014/15 season when they last won the UEFA Champions League. The club had enjoyed a decade of continental successes since the appointment of Dutchman, Frank Rijkaard, who led the team to winning the 2005/06 UCL and other major titles.
– Guardiola’s ‘Tiki-Taka’ –
The clubs relevance surged even more when Pep Guardiola took over the technical crew. Guardiola introduced the ‘Tiki-Taka’; a pattern of play that sent shivers down their opponent’s spine; characterized by short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and yet maintaining possession.
Pep Guardiola’s reign at Camp Nou is regarded as one of most successful eras in the club’s history. During his four seasons with the Catalonians, the Manchester City gaffer, won 14 titles: three league titles, two champions league, two Copa del Rey, three Spanish Super Cups, two European Super Cups and two FIFA World Club Cups; a total which puts him ahead of club legend, Johan Cruyff on the all time Barcelona list.
– Ronaldinho’s Magical Era –
However, Barcelona’s history would not be complete if the name of a certain man from the street of Brazil isn’t mention. Of a truth, some players seem tailor made for specific clubs, almost predestined to ply their trade and showcase their skills for a particular team and its fans and that’s Ronaldinho.
Ronaldinho, was indeed a magician with the ball at his feet, dishing out thrilling pieces of skills that even the most elite of players would not have dreamed possible, let alone tried. Though, he brought smiles upon the faces of the club’s faithful, but his absence was not entirely missed when Lionel Messi proved he could fill his boots.
– Messi and the MSN Era –
For more than a decade Lionel Messi has been Barcelona’s main man, scoring and assisting hundreds of goals and winning countless trophies. His time at the club had witnessed recurring changes; from managers to teammates. However, the Argentine could still relinquish the moment he led a dangerous attack which had Luis Suarez and Neymar.
The trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar, gave rise to a formidable side owing to their blistering run of form. While the attack was receiving accolades, praises were also heaped on the midfield; co-marshaled by Andreas Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez who are product of La Masia academy (Barcelona youth academy).
– What happened to La Masia? –
The La Masia academy has produced a slew of world class footballers. In 2010, La Masia became the first youth academy to have trained all three finalists for the Ballon d’OR in a single year- Iniesta, Messi and Xavi. Also in the list of these home grown talents are, Cesc Fabregas, Gerrad Pique, Carles Puyol and a host of others who have gone on to become legends at the club.
However, the academy has only managed to produce a handful of footballers already showing glimpses of making a mark like the previous graduates.
– Bartomeu’s Resignation: A Sigh of relief? –
The leadership of former president, Josep Bartomeu seemed to have erased the club’s reputation of grooming top-notch stars owing to his preference for players grown outside.
Bartomeu’s time at Barcelona saw the club win four La Liga titles as well as the 2014/15 Champions League, but his time grew on to become a calamitous one for the club which made him resign after several months of criticism in the wake of Barcelona’s 8-2 defeat in the UCL to Bayern Munich, Lionel Messi’s shock request to leave the club and Luis Suarez’s sudden exclusion from the team.
The president’s tenure would have ran into the coming year, with elections called for March, but the club’s members called for a vote of no confidence in a bid oust Bartomeu from office.
Thus, with this development, do we see the Catalan giant stage a comeback in Europe?
