LaLiga: Barcelona season preview

Heading into last season, Barcelona were still reeling from the loss of Lionel Messi. Expectations were low as there was plenty of uncertainty surrounding the club.

This time around, however, the expectations and the anticipation is high. Ronald Koeman was sacked and replaced by club legend Xavi Hernandez and has been back by the Barcelona board with new signings.

The arrivals of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen and Raphinha have, on paper, transformed this Barcelona team into one that can realistically challenge for LaLiga and the Champions League.

Particularly in Lewandowski, Raphinha and Kounde, the Catalans addressed deficiencies in key areas. In acquiring the former Bayern Munich player, the team now has a world-class striker in their ranks. In Raphinha, they have a player who can play on the wings and provide more consistency than Ousmane Dembele who re-signed with the team and, to his credit, had a very good preseason.

In Kounde, they reinforced the defense with one of the best center-backs in the world and is likely to be Ronald Araujo’s partner in defense.

The other signings provide quality depth which was sorely lacking last season. Barcelona might still not be done as Marcos Alonso is reportedly the next player set to join to compete with Jordi Alba.

The only question remaining is whether or not Barcelona can register all their signings in time for the season opener.

President Joan Laporta has gambled and sold off pieces of the club’s assets in order to finance these deals. But the revenue has not been enough to register all of the new arrivals. Now they are in a race against time to do so.

ESPN reported that Kessie and Christiansen have a clause in their contract allowing them to leave as free agents if they are not registered. On its surface it sounds bad but both players are unlikely to exercise that clause.

If Barcelona are able to register the players, then they possess one of the best squads not only in Spain but Europe as well.

Under Ronald Koeman, Barcelona were a chore to watch the first part of the season. The possession, attacking style football made famous by Pep Guardiola was nowhere to be seen. Xavi has been able to bring back some of that style and should be able to do more with the players available to him.

The defense is still going to be their weak point, especially at fullback. Sergiño Dest has yet to prove himself as the answer and Jordi Alba’s deficiencies have been exploited time and time again.

This is where Xavi is going to have to show his worth as a manager. He was given leeway last season because of the situation he inherited. That same patience may not be there this season given Barcelona reinforced and signed the players he wanted.

With how much they’ve spent compared to the rest of the LaLiga sides, the title race is going to be between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Los Blancos only made a couple of signings but they are a settled side who seem to show up at the right moments.

Barcelona need to rid themselves of the mentality where they crumble when something goes wrong. If they do that and the new signings integrate themselves like we saw at times in the preseason friendlies, then this has the makings of a very successful season for Barcelona.

In any case, the atmosphere surrounding the club has completely changed. Now, it’s time for them to show it on the pitch.