Quote Originally Posted by mastermind84 View Post
Barcelona are not as great as they used to be. Their front 3 is immense and the best in football but that defense is wobbly and their midfield is nowhere near as as strong when the GOAT Xavi was running things.

Saying that, we lose 4-1 over 2 legs.
I'm not sure I agree that Barca are not as great as they used to be, they are different to that great team that Pep managed and don't play pure "tiki taka" like they used to but if anything they are more versatile these days.

They have come off the back of the treble, I think last season saw their team really settle into it's style and form it's identity. I see no real reason why their current team can't dominate like the Pep team did, they have pretty much won all of their big games for a year, many of them with ease by systematically dismantling their opponents.

I do agree that their Midfield is not as strong, but they have different qualities now, the Busquets, Rakitic & Iniesta trio is as good as anything out there, they have superb depth now too with the likes of Arda Turan and Sergi Roberto filling in, even Mascherano plays their sometimes.

They have more depth in Defence too...it's their weakest area but it's still way above average.