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LequteMan
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After a rare trophy-free season in 2013-14, Barcelona took their first step towards the treble when they beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday to secure the La Liga title.
Here the factors behind Barca's resurgence from no silverware to potentially three trophies.
1. Fantastic Forwards – Messi & Suarez
2. A good coach in Luis Enrique
3. A consistent new style
From the beginning of the campaign till December, Barcelona has been dropping points against lesser opposition.
However, since January they have been transformed, with manager Luis Enrique settling upon an established strongest XI and consistently implementing a new style of play which is based upon the strengths of the front three rather than the midfield-heavy passing game employed for the previous few years.
4. Set-piece transformation
Last season, free-kicks and corners were Barca's Achilles heel. They never looked like scoring when they had them and always looked like conceding when they faced them.
Then-manager Tata Martino would just shrug his shoulders and say "We've got small players", apparently believing that frailty was simply something they would have to live with.
New boss Enrique has rubbished that defeatist attitude, however, by transforming his team into set-piece experts at both ends of the field.
5. Successful signings
Barca’s new signings have settled in comfortably in their first season – Claudio Bravio has been solid in goal, Marc-Andre ter Stenge has also been impressive. Jeremy Mathieu and Ivan Rakitic also contributed well to the team, giving space for regular starters to be rested when they get fatigued.
6. Luck With Injuries
Barca, over the past few months have had to deal with fewer injuries than their title contender. Real Madrid have had to cope without Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Pepe.
Barca headed into the final stages of the season with his entire squad available - even Thomas Vermaelen, who has finally recovered from the thigh injury with which he arrived from Arsenal.
7. Failings in Madrid
Barca’s title succes has been helped by the lack of a challenge from the capital.
Atletico Madrid, although they are still a very good team, have been unable to retain the ruthless consistency which made them champions last season.
And Real Madrid's season peaked in December, when they were crowned Club World Cup champions at the end of a 22-game winning run.
Culled From BBC Football
#Barcelona #Laliga
Here the factors behind Barca's resurgence from no silverware to potentially three trophies.
1. Fantastic Forwards – Messi & Suarez
2. A good coach in Luis Enrique
3. A consistent new style
From the beginning of the campaign till December, Barcelona has been dropping points against lesser opposition.
However, since January they have been transformed, with manager Luis Enrique settling upon an established strongest XI and consistently implementing a new style of play which is based upon the strengths of the front three rather than the midfield-heavy passing game employed for the previous few years.
4. Set-piece transformation
Last season, free-kicks and corners were Barca's Achilles heel. They never looked like scoring when they had them and always looked like conceding when they faced them.
Then-manager Tata Martino would just shrug his shoulders and say "We've got small players", apparently believing that frailty was simply something they would have to live with.
New boss Enrique has rubbished that defeatist attitude, however, by transforming his team into set-piece experts at both ends of the field.
5. Successful signings
Barca’s new signings have settled in comfortably in their first season – Claudio Bravio has been solid in goal, Marc-Andre ter Stenge has also been impressive. Jeremy Mathieu and Ivan Rakitic also contributed well to the team, giving space for regular starters to be rested when they get fatigued.
6. Luck With Injuries
Barca, over the past few months have had to deal with fewer injuries than their title contender. Real Madrid have had to cope without Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Pepe.
Barca headed into the final stages of the season with his entire squad available - even Thomas Vermaelen, who has finally recovered from the thigh injury with which he arrived from Arsenal.
7. Failings in Madrid
Barca’s title succes has been helped by the lack of a challenge from the capital.
Atletico Madrid, although they are still a very good team, have been unable to retain the ruthless consistency which made them champions last season.
And Real Madrid's season peaked in December, when they were crowned Club World Cup champions at the end of a 22-game winning run.
Culled From BBC Football
#Barcelona #Laliga