« Who Goes Through? | Main | Nigeria and Black News! »
Has the Bubbles’ Burst?
By Toyin | March 3, 2009
From the lofty heights of 24 unbeaten record prior to the game against local rivals, Espanyol and a commanding 12 points lead at the top of the table; the reality at Nou Camp is a very sharp contrast to the fairy tale run earlier commented on. Who would believe that the Catalans would draw a game and lose two consecutively all within three weeks?
The hand writing was on the wall when they heaved and puffed to draw the game with Real Betis almost three weeks ago. Could it be fatigue, overconfidence and lack of commitment or what?
Apart from the obvious weakness of goalkeeper Valdes (has he ever played for Spain?), quality runs through the team from the back to the front. When they are a goal or two down, you can bet that they will come back and win the game. Such was the panache and the momentum with which they played in the last six months. Most will be forgiven for believing that perhaps and arguably so that this is the best Barcelona team ever assembled.
How fast things change in football! With two draws and two reverse in the last four games played, the alarm bell is ringing and hard is it’s sound at the Nou Camp!
The most alarming result was the one against Athletico Madrid; leading with two goals and yet losing by 4-3 at the end of the day. Has the team lost the element of fear and respect they had over the opposition? Or the others have caught up with their ‘secrets’?
The next four games will be very critical to the outcome of the season for Barcelona! Should they fail to win the league (even if they win the champions league and the king’s cup), the season will be categorized as a major failure.
Having set new records in amassing 50 points at the half stage of the season, the bookmakers already paid out on the fact that come June, Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champions. This is looking quite shaky now! And guess what? If they indeed fail to take the league, the bookmakers make more money!
Has the team suddenly become poor? Of course not! This is football and anything can happen; Arsenal went on a 16 games unbeaten run to win the EPL in Wenger’s first full season from fifth position. They won that title by only a point over Manchester United who led the table for almost three quarters of the season.
Barcelona is by far from finished. As a matter of fact, I believe that what they are going through currently has the capacity to make them even better. And this should not be good news to their competitors.
The decent run put together by Real Madrid since the arrival of Juande Ramos has brought more life and vigour back to the league. Suddenly, from a very awkward league position, the whites are now just four points behind Barcelona. The second leg of the ‘El Classico’ is going to take even on more significance; it may just decide the champion!
When the chips are down, Barcelona, on numerous occasions this season has proven themselves more than enough capable to cope. Great teams always come back better and Barcelona without any shred of doubt is a massive side!
Topics: Biz Football, Hot Stars, Cold Sands, La Liga, Success Pills, The Champion, The Gaffer, Who Will Win |
March 6th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Well said!
I have the believe that the blaugranas will definitely come back and eventually win the la liga.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I want Barcelona to win the league, they ‘ve played better than the rest this season. This is just a slum, they will be back surely
March 6th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
They are the best team in Europe and they deserve to win. I just love that Etoo guy!
March 7th, 2009 at 10:48 am
They are facing the reality of what football is all about and I hope they do not undo all the good works of the first half of the season
March 13th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
every team has dips in form