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5 reasons why Barcelona will win El Clasico

By Harry De Cosemo

Barcelona's players celebrate their 24th La Liga title at the end of the Spanish league football match Granada CF vs FC Barcelona at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on May 14, 2016.Barcelona sealed their 24th La Liga title as Luis Suarez took his tally for the season to 59 goals with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Granada to hold off Real Madrid's late-season surge. / AFP / CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona's players celebrate their 24th La Liga title at the end of the Spanish league football match Granada CF vs FC Barcelona at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on May 14, 2016.Barcelona sealed their 24th La Liga title as Luis Suarez took his tally for the season to 59 goals with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Granada to hold off Real Madrid's late-season surge. / AFP / CRISTINA QUICLER (Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images) /
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 19: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates his hat-trick with Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr. during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between FC Barcelona and Manchester City FC at Camp Nou on October 19, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 19: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates his hat-trick with Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr. during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between FC Barcelona and Manchester City FC at Camp Nou on October 19, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images) /

3. Attacking options

Whenever discussing Barcelona, it is hard to ignore their strike force, even if it does begin to sound repetitive. Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have become more central than ever in recent months, drawing criticism that boss Luis Enrique is too reliant on the trio.

In years gone by, the midfield was the hub of the team, where games would be won and lost, Under Pep Guardiola, the most successful coach in the club’s modern history and a primary disciple of Johan Cruyff, the man behind their definitive style, Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta were more central to play.

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All three were youth products, meaning they knew exactly what their role within the team and the club was. While Busquets and Iniesta remain, they are not quite as important as before, with those in front of them taking both the responsibility and the limelight.

Both Suarez and Neymar were signed for big money, suggesting that Barcelona are edging away from core principles. In the long run, doubts will be cast over how long the club can sustain success, but right now, despite a recent mini-crisis, things are going well.

A combined total of over 200 goals since they began playing together makes the ‘MSN’ a scary proposition for anyone. What better time to time to hit their stride again than in El Clasico?

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