It’s been Ernesto Valverde’s maiden season as Barcelona coach and boy has he done well, bringing the Liga title back where it belongs. A fourth straight Copa del Rey also arrived, and he deserves more appreciation than he was given. The loss of Neymar to PSG and a disastrous UCL exit are the only letdowns in what has been a glittering season.
However, the biggest disappointment, and a rather unforeseen one, has completely changed what Barca are, from a continuously moving, possession-loving dominating side to a side that just likes to play it safe and depend on Lionel Messi. Maybe it worked fine this time, but cometh next season, it won’t do the trick, certainly not in Europe.
Barcelona have been a dominant force in world football with their superior game control and ability to move the ball effortlessly, leading their famous tiki-taka to be immortalized in the pages of history. Lately, that hasn’t been the case with Valverde preferring a much safer 4-4-2 system and thus limiting the creative spark. Let’s not talk about the 4-4-2 as however unsuited it is for the team, it has given results and that matters.
Although the quality of the midfield has fallen considerably, Messi has shone and so has Jordi Alba and the rest of the defense. The most important thing needed? A change in perspective. Let’s talk about why Valverde needs to place his trust on his players’ versatility and change the system of play.