From top of the world to rock bottom in 5 years: Where it all went wrong for Barca and Bartomeu
June 6, 2015. Barcelona win the Champions League and effectively win the treble against a star-studded Juventus side battling for a treble of their own in Berlin. Who would have known that that was the peak of that team and the only way forward would be the way down. 5 years on, Barcelona suffer their biggest UCL defeat of all time against a team strikingly similar to the one they beat in the 2015 UCL semis. Through financial chaos, sudden player sales, managerial changes, here we are, taking a look at what caused this decline to happen.
In 2015 Barca were on top of the world. Led by the world's deadliest attacking front three - The MSN - they were beating teams at ease. The season following the treble-winning campaign showed that Barcelona were strong, both ability-wise and mentally, and most of all, confident. Perhaps a bit too overconfident. In the previous season of the 15/16 season, the board and Luis Enrique decided to not build on the successful team and decided to not make any major signings, which was understandable but already then it seemed risky. The campaign that followed was successful but showed signs of rustiness starting to come in and brought the first, of many to come, UCL away disaster. Atletico Madrid knocked Barcelona out in the quarterfinals and presented the world with the ultimate tactic of beating Barcelona. A high-intensity, fast-paced and high-press tactical approach meant Barcelona were stranded. This tactical approach showed that Barcelona could not get the ball past the midfield, and, in turn, couldn't do anything useful. The defeat to Atletico was disappointing, but what's worse is that it felt deserved. On the night, Atleti were a much better team and although it seemed impossible a few months beforehand, Barca were broken down and defeated.
The following season, the 16/17 campaign was going to be difficult, and it proved to be the most difficult campaign in a long time. With only Copa del Rey success to show for, Barca were beaten to the La Liga title by an organized Real Madrid team led by Zinedine Zidane. The 16/17 UCL campaign also ended with disappointment, but it was one of the strangest UCL campaigns this club had probably ever played. Valentine's Day in Paris brought yet another woeful UCL away night. But 4 weeks later, La Remontada, arguably the most dramatic Barca game played in the 21st century (or on par with the Iniestazo at Stamford Bridge) arrived. Aside from the obvious, the Sergi Roberto goal, the Neymar's free-kick, what the game showed and little did we know about it, was that on nights when Leo Messi couldn't lead Barcelona out of trouble, a man named Neymar Jr could. The man who was brought in 2014 as the heir to Messi's throne, showed what he was capable of. Unfortunately, with the spirits running high, Juventus proved to be too tough to beat and Paulo Dybala showcased himself to the world and to the people who still didn't know about him.
The season finished, but most importantly, the Barcelona as we know it finished on that exact same day. Luis Enrique left and Valverde was brought in to guide Barca, but nobody could have predicted what was about to happen. PSG, seeking revenge on Barca, bought Neymar for €222m and left a void which still can't be filled 3 years on. With the world knowing how much money Barca had after the transfer, the transfer market went crazy. Inflated prices and the huge pressure on the Barca board to put Barca back in too meant that overpriced signings were made. With each season ending in bigger disaster and adding to the ever-growing pressure pile mounted on the board, more overpriced signings were made, whilst the stars of today were lured out by other clubs.
The first season Ernesto Valverde took charge in brought stability to the team in La Liga. Barca were conceding very few goals but perhaps the season will always be remembered through the night in Rome, the first of the many UCL disasters to come. An unexplainable match brought major disappointment and showed that Barcelona can be beaten by playing high-intensity, fast-paced football. Just like it was shown by Atletico in 2016. With such disappointments bringing more pressure on the Barca board and the players, our identity and style of play were lost. From this point, it was no longer about the means but about the outcome. The game in Rome damaged Barcelona mentally and to this day Barcelona can't beat that mental barrier of playing away in the UCL on big matches.
The next season, the famous night at Anfield. 3-0 up at home heading into the away game, even Messi said that Barca won't make the same mistake again as they did in Rome. But they did. This time making it even more humiliating and painful, as even Pique admitted that he felt if Barca won against Liverpool, they probably would have won the treble that season.
With only La Liga to show for the season, Ernesto Valverde was walking a tightrope and this season had to be a one to remember. And boy was it one. Unfortunately not in a good way.
Quique Setien was brought in mid-season to replace Ernesto Valverde, but you could sense that he was a dead man walking long before he even played his first game as Barca's coach. He's entered the middle of a storm and he can't be blamed for what he has led this team into as the momentum from Valverde's reigns got this team to this point.
For the first time since 2007/08, Barca haven't won a single trophy in a season, topping it off with a historic 2-8 humiliation at the hands of Bayern. After a season like we have had, it didn't seem right if by any chance we would have gone through. With Bayern playing the most attractive football in Europe since Leicester's 2016 campaign, they are deservedly the favourites to win.
I'll spare the time on criticising each player. The much-needed rebuild of the team can't happen as the club wasted all of the money on 3 players. The big-money signings that were made, which cost the club nearly €400m, played a total of 45 mins for Barca. They did score 2 goals and an assist, however, but those were against us. The player who was insulted, laughed at and stupidly massacred by the Spanish media has now been a part of this great humiliation, and deservedly because Coutinho never deserved for such criticism when playing for Barca.
Ousmane Dembele wasn't even brought off the bench. This speaks volumes about his last 3 years.
Pique said that he'll be the first to go if that's what's needed for new blood to come in, but all of the players should look at themselves hard and think if they are worthy enough to wear this shirt. Whilst, in turn, J.M. Bartomeu should look at himself and finally realise he's not worthy enough to be the head of this club, and the state to which he has brought the club.
The club is in a state of despair and that's where it needs us, Cules, to support them. It's not about supporting a team when they're winning, it's about helping them get back up to start winning again. These players need us now more than ever.
A major earthquake is needed at this club and if this game against Bayern was the epicentre, I'm glad it happened. Now is the time to act and hopefully they won't wait any longer.
As much as I hate to say it, unfortunately, this time even Messi won't be able to save this...
Jerzy Olszewski
Comments
Legend like Busquet, Pique, Alba, Suarez, Rakitic have all done well ..now is time to give chance to the younger ones, and that chance will be given Only if u guys leave the team.. recently our coaches have find it difficult to bench some of the old players.
I think this again comes down to the whole topic of pressure on the Board for this team to finally start winning. They don’t have the time on their hands or patience to watch young players develop so they play the old “trusted” players.
Wow, this is a very nice read. Thank you, Jerzy! Some minor mistakes are fixed, the post is already in the newsfeed!
Thank you very much!
This time I think even Messi himself should consider leaving this summer. it's going to be weird and difficult but it needs to be done. He is frustrated and psychologically broken and this could affect him while playing...to be facing the same havoc for 5 years and the disaster compounding as the years go by breaks every heart that loves this club. There must be serious and radical changes in this club, right from the office to the pitch...things must seriously change
Pains me to say it, but I think Messi leaving would kickstart the changes. Only then will people see that enough is enough and radical changes have to be made.