After a grueling tour of each coasts of america, Barcelona confronted an extended journey to Georgia capital Tbilisi for the UEFA Tremendous Cup.
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Barcelona’s bewildering 5-1 aggregate defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup has raised unexpected question marks over the Spanish side’s prospects in the new La Liga season, which begins on Friday.
Ernesto Valverde’s men claimed a 5-1 victory over two legs in the Supercopa.
Messi will be supported by Neymar and Luis Suarez to complete the attacking triumvirate that notched 122 goals between them last season, surpassing the 118-goal record set by Ronaldo, Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain in 2011-2012.
While it is unlikely Pique’s ban will be overturned by the weekend, let alone reduced to anything less than two games, Barcelona could take matter as far as the global appeals court to get the defender back on the pitch.
Athletic were brought down to earth following their Supercup win, which was the club’s first trophy in 31 years and celebrated in fine style in Bilbao, when they surrendered a 0-2 lead away in Zilnia to lose a Europa League qualifying tie 2-3 on Thursday.
As has been the case in recent years, Real undeniably possess superior squad strength to Barcelona, galvanising their ranks with the addition of players such as right-back Danilo from Porto and the prodigious Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan.
Whereas the exit of legend Xavi was lengthy anticipated and comprehensible, the choice to promote Pedro to Chelsea this week is extra curious.
Chipping in with eight goals to boot, the 27-year-old could be as influential this season as any of the three south American superstars ahead of him. As Barcelona’s defence looked shaky and unstable last week during the matches of the Super Cup, failing to deal with Aritz Aduriz, Bartra’s performances could as well determine the course this game will go.
There are, for positive, challenges aplenty. Yet if they can keep everyone fit and suspension free then they remain surely the most talented team in Spain and the world. La Real ended last season in 12 position, with the Scot comfortably leading them to safety – and notably beating Barcelona 1-0 in December too.
“It is his first day”.
They have also signed forward Santi Mina from Celta Vigo for a sum of €10 million.
He was also quoted saying by Football-Espnana: “Last season, we weren’t the favourites because Atletico had won the League”.
Barcelona’s travails will, however, have given their fiercest rivals Real Madrid a significant fillip.
Prediction: There will be some difficulties along the way, but Barcelona still have incredible quality in every area of the pitch.
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Real Madrid meanwhile will be likely dealing with a rocky season, if new manager Rafa Benitez can not many a team of such vociferous egos.
