Barcelona under the microscope

European Leagues / Alsy / 14 September 2007 / Leave a Comment

Morgan in the driving seat - Alister Morgan looks at which competitions can prove fruitful for Henry's boys this season

Barcelona are still considered by many to be the most talented side in Europe - the perfect blend of attacking creativity and tactical innovation. Since they lifted the Champions League trophy two years ago a new era, akin to the great Madrid, Liverpool and Milan sides of old, seemed to beckon.
It's been just over a year since that European triumph and the 'new Catalan dawn' hasn't quite materialised yet but they're still popular with the betting public. Barcelona are favourites to win both the Primera Division (1.89) and the Champions League (6.2) this season illustrating their reputation as the team to beat in Spanish and European football.

It's easy to see why. Barcelona let some impressive talent leave in the off-season including Ludvic Guily and Juliano Belletti. Javier Saviola was even allowed to join Madrid but he should be safe from the Barcelona crowd when returning to Nou Camp... the Madrid substitutes bench will offer ample protection against various missiles.

Barcelona has also made some impressive signings in all the right places: Gabriel Milito and Yaya Toure add genuine steel down the spine of Barcelona's defence and midfield respectively. France fullback Eric Abidal has also joined along with another France international striker well known to Premiership defences.

Ironically Thierry Henry could be the one recent acquisition Barcelona did not need. The holy trinity of Eto, Messi and Ronaldinho were doing a pretty good job of re-defining attacking play without the Frenchman. Henry's arrival has all but ended Gudjohnsen's playing time at the Nou Camp but it does give Barcelona another experienced striker expecting to be top scorer wherever he plays.

Eto (10.5) is second favourite to top the La Liga scoring charts while Henry is third (4.8) behind Madrid's Van Nistelrooy (3.9). It would be hard to bet against the Dutchman especially when you consider that Frank Rijkaard is yet to pick the 'fab four' to start a game together. When fit, Ronaldinho is likely to start every game and considering that he takes free kicks and penalties I'd be tempted to back the Brazilian (5.2) to top La Liga's Pichichi table at the end or the season as an outside bet.

Henry started his first La Liga game on the bench and couldn't break the deadlock in 0-0 draw away to Racing Santander. Barca chalked up their first win of the season a week later beating Athletic Bilbao 3-1 with Ronaldinho scoring a free kick and a penalty.

Barcelona have had a decent start to the season but Madrid has really shot out of the blocks successfully negotiating a tough opener against big-spending rivals Athletico before putting five goals past Villarreal away from home.
Real Madrid are (3.3) to hold on to their La Liga crown and I fancy them to deliver. It's not that Barcelona (1.9) have waned that much since the impressive 2006 season but Madrid (along with other domestic opposition) have improved of late. You could argue that in-fighting between superstar players partly derailed Barcelona's campaign last season - adding Henry in to the mix is likely to exacerbate the problem when things get tough.

The Champions League group stage should present few problems regardless of their domestic form. Barcelona is (1.53) to win the group ahead of Lyon (4.5), Stuttgart (9.4) and Rangers (20). Lyon is always a danger, (wining domestic League titles at will) and might top the group but Barca (1.1 to qualify) should navigate to the knock-out stages without too much fanfare.

Could Barca win the Champions League this year? I think not and as favourites would lay them at (6.4). Chelsea (8 to win), Madrid (12) and Liverpool (12) have strengthened impressively while holders Milan (11) seem criminally undervalued.

Rijkaard has yet to work out how best to employ his troops. Talent will take Barcelona so far but I suspect they'll be beaten by better 'teams' this season at home and abroad.