In late autumn, the once-proud FC Barcelona was on the ground in terms of sport and finances, but the Catalans can now sense the dawn again. Coach Xavi is mainly responsible for the change of mood at the Camp Nou, but two former BVB stars also have their share.
Many a Barca fan could hardly believe his eyes last Sunday. A 4-0 home win over Athletic Bilbao? A success for the fourth time in February with four goals scored? And all this without Lionel Messi?
Yes, actually, it’s true: In the spring of 2022, for the first time in what feels like an eternity, FC Barcelona will no longer be a laughing stock, but one of the most in-form teams in the top European leagues.
Champions League qualification, meanwhile a long way away, has come within reach again thanks to the Blaugrana’s recent run, who are still unbeaten after the turn of the year and have won five out of seven La Liga matches.
However, the positive development in Catalonia is no coincidence: in the depressing autumn, when the low point was reached, extensive personnel changes were decided in Barca’s management team, which are slowly bearing fruit. In addition, the fading of the wave of injuries is noticeable.
Three names symbolize the renaissance of the proud association:
With the decision to sack the chronically overwhelmed Ronald Koeman and replace him with club icon Xavi, those responsible for Barca hit the bull’s eye.
The ex-professional has everything to shape a new era of success: great identification with the club and its values, the necessary zest for action and, above all, the necessary know-how for modern, attractive football.
It is noticeable that FC Barcelona are more dominant again under Xavi. High pressing and fast combinations give an idea of where the path that has been taken could still lead.
Xavi (2nd from right) breathed new life into Barca
Even without Lionel Messi, the squad has many outstanding individuals. The trick is to form a team out of them. Xavi seems to have found a good mix here. The coach’s approach also benefits the many top talents from Barca’s world-renowned youth academy La Masia.
The shooting star of the previous season is finally fully resilient again after an exhausting summer including participation in the European Championships and the Olympics. Marked by the constant strain, Pedri suffered a stubborn thigh injury in September that put him out of action for three months.
At the end of January, the 19-year-old, who is also said to be on the list at FC Bayern, finally returned to the pitch and has since been the linchpin of FC Barcelona’s midfield again.
“Pedri doesn’t lose the ball, just plays, moves between the lines. It’s wonderful to see him play. He reminds me a lot of Andres Iniesta, converts everything easily. I haven’t seen talent like that very often. When the ball reaches Pedri , the game will get better,” Xavi enthused about his protégé after the gala against Bilbao.
Plus: Pedri is one of the main identification figures of this new Barca. The prospect of being able to play with him should be a bargaining chip for management in poker for extensions and newcomers.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Chased out of court in an inglorious way at Arsenal, long-time BVB striker Aubameyang signed for Barcelona in the spring. There seems to have been an immediate spark between the LaLiga giants and the now 32-year-old Gabonese: the attacker has scored five times in his first six appearances in the red and blue jersey.
“He’s good in the box. He’s mature, intelligent, humble and positive. I’m very happy with him. The goals will give him confidence,” said Xavi after Aubameyang’s three goals against Valencia.
The coach should hope to benefit even more from the “BVB connection” in the team from now on: Ousmane Dembélé, who had actually already been sorted out, with whom Aubameyang had harmonized almost perfectly in Dortmund in the 2016/2017 season, indicated with his ingenious joker Operation against Bilbao, with the chapter Barcelona is far from over.
Incidentally, Aubameyang was not the only winter transfer with which the officials around President Joan Laporta were spot on: Also 55 million euro man Ferran Torres (came from Manchester City), the massive winger Adama Traoré (with a purchase option from Wolverhampton Wanderers loaned) and returnee Dani Alves hit directly.
It seems that the foundation for a brighter future at FC Barcelona has been laid.
Heiko Lütkehus