Both Manchester United and Arsenal will certainly hope not, but Connor Jipps who was at the Camp Nou to watch Barcelona’s destruction of Atletico Madrid on Sunday says it is going to be very difficult to see any other team lifting the trophy in May.
On Sunday evening, at the Camp Nou, Barcelona extended their dominant lead at the top of La Liga to nine points with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over second placed Athletico Madrid.
Meanwhile title rivals Real Madrid faltered once again conceding late against Barca’s city rivals Espanyol to draw 2-2, opening up a thirteen point gap between Mourinho’s men and Barca. With the Catalan side looking so fearsome domestically it’s now hard to see the league title going elsewhere, barring a miraculous collapse.
But the implications of this gap mean not only a comfortable domestic cushion has now emerged. It also indicates they can focus much of their attentions on the Champions League upon its return in the new year and how to go about attempting to retain the title they held two seasons back.
It will have pained the extremely passionate Catalan support to have seen their side slip at the semi-final stages last year to the eventual winners, Chelsea, but if anything it only appears likely to reinvigorate the hunger and desire amongst the players. Champions League success is paramount to fans of a club of their quality and the players – many homegrown – will know and understand that.
Nevertheless Tito Villanova, who sadly had to step down from his position earlier yesterday due to a relapse of a previous tumour, said earlier this week ‘I don’t think that this title is ours to lose. If there is a team that has the capacity to win a lot of points, and they overtake us, then they deserve the title. It happened in 2008 (Madrid fought back from behind to win the league) and it could happen again. La Liga is not easy and it certainly isn’t boring’.
With the news of Villanova’s departure breaking there is no doubt that it will be a tough time for the players at the club, unaware of who could be coming in. All the same there is a core set of players and staff that have been around the club for years and any top manager would relish the opportunity that will now arise.
Of course it could also have been a much smaller gap had Atletico taken advantage of a slack opening half hour from Barcelona as the free-scoring Radamel Falcao found himself with enough chances to grab a handful, though only one found the target.
Against a side of Barcelona’s quality you simply can’t waste chances and so it proved the case with Adriano’s superb response strike opening the floodgates, as goals from Busquets and two second half Messi goals, his 24th and 25th of the season, handed Barcelona yet another comfortable three points.
That match showed Barca have their defensive frailties – Pique and Puyol found themselves under heavy pressure from Falcao – but when you can score so freely such minor frailties pale into insignificance. That firepower will assure Barcelona achieve yet another La Liga title and you can quote me on that.
And for that reason Barcelona already have the advantage over the competition for the Champions League title. The mental aspect could be key, with the chance to do the League/Cup double at the forefront of the mind no doubt, just like the majority of clubs left. However with such a head start in one competition (La Liga), more focus and commitment will undoubtedly fall on the Champions League.
By winning their Champions League group they have already assured themselves of a much easier opponent than their main rivals, especially as Valencia and Real Madrid are out of the equation (and Celtic!). The toughest opposition they could face is arguably Arsenal, the inconsistent AC Milan or Shakthar, who whilst formidable at home, don’t always turn up for the away ties.
Compare this to Real Madrid’s potential draw which could see them face Man United, Bayern Munich, PSG or Juventus potentially and Barca’s task fares a lot easier. It is perhaps that that has led the bookies to install Barcelona as the favourites once again with 9/4 a fairly decent price considering the factors in their favour.
With La Liga’s leading as sisters Iniesta and Fabregas in their side, Barcelona have the most potent attacking strike force in world football especially with Lionel Messi up top.
Messi, like teammates Puyol and Xavi have clearly seen the talent at the club and responded by signing a new long term contract, a clear indicator that the hunger is still there amongst the players. A desire to continue achieving with the club despite all having been won domestically that they possibly could win.
Factoring in all of these separate components it’s tough to stick the neck out and suggest any other team winning the competition. For all of the German sides exuberance and flair, they cannot seem to get over the final hurdle when it really matters (see both domestic and international football). Meanwhile Madrid carry the quality but Barca already have the mental edge.
For me the afore-mentioned 9/4 price is a steal for the 2012/13 Champions League winners. Having witnessed the manner in which Barcelona tore apart Atletico at the Camp Nou, despite barely pushing into top gear, is a clear indicator that Europe should be quaking in fear.
image: © mariosp
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