There have been problems in Barcelona despite being inspired by Lionel Messi to the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The 8-2 drubbing in the hands of Bayern Munich exposed the weaknesses of this Barcelona side.
Barca has struggled over some years in Europe since selling Neymar to PSG. The team has not had it well in the background as well.
The reality finally dawned on them after losing the La Liga title to Real Madrid. This happened despite being on top of the league with two points gap before restart.
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The Bayern humiliation on Friday shows a team struggling with on and off the pitch issues. One which Gerard Pique acknowledge after the drubbing.
This is a team that bought Philippe Coutinho, who is on loan at Bayern from the club and further compounded their problem with two goals in the 8-2 rout.
Another player who would have filled into the shoe of Neymar is Ousmane Dembele. He was passed fit for the game barely 24 hours before kick-off but his Barca’s career so far has been blighted by injuries.
What Barcelona need to do to keep Lionel Messi
Looking at the current contract situation surrounding Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou, the talisman has several options. One of such is to leave on a free transfer to any club of his choice this summer.
Although the club’s president, Josep Bartomeu had said that the Argentine will end his career at Camp Nou, Messi could be lured by Inter Milan that is improving by the day. This could also give him the chance to compete against Cristiano Ronaldo again.
From the recent reports of house purchases by the Argentine and his father in Milan, Messi might not end his career at Barca afterward.
No team wouldn’t want to have Messi in its squad knowing how he can be a match-winner with good back up. Inter is expected to make use of this current situation to come back for Messi again.
Tactical change or structural changes at Barcelona?
Back to the main topic of this article, what changes are expected at the Camp Nou? It could be an overall change. But can that be possible, especially with COVID-19 affecting clubs’ finances?
Gerard Pique had suggested that it’s not just a change of playing personnel and the coaching team that is needed, but structural ones are also needed. He is referring to change in the top echelon. This might be bad news for Bartomeu, who might want to keep the seat ahead of the 2021 election.
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Knowing the influence of Messi in the team, Barcelona is expected to do all within its power to tie down the talisman to a new deal which could probably be his last before hanging his boot.
Then listen to his demands, one of which might be the return of Neymar. Some overhauling will be needed in the team that has many over 30 years players in the midfield (Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquet).
With such an ageing midfield, one would wonder the reason for buying another 30+ midfielder, Miralem Pjanic in a swap deal for 24-year-old Arthur Melo.
Barca look to be safe in the goalkeeping department because Marc-André Ter Stegen is a top goalie. He has proven himself over time.
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Ageing Pique is prepared to leave if the club wished. Samuel Umtiti, who has been injured mostly could be shown the exit door.
In the middle of the park, already, Rakitic will be leaving on a free transfer. But it remained unknown if Vidal and Busquet will follow him.
Meanwhile, there is another interesting angle to the future of Coutinho, who showed them what they have been missing on Friday. Barca has been looking for a club that will buy the midfielder outrightly. They may now opt for an option to give him a second chance.
In the attacking department, Suarez is aging and he really needs a backup. It could be time to move on for the Uruguayan. But Antoine Griezmann and Dembele need to prove themselves.
All will be looking forward to knowing what will happen at the Camp Nou in the coming days.
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