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Barcelona would need a miracle not to win the treble this season

By Chiranjib Ghosh

SEVILLE, SPAIN - MARCH 17: Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's third goal with team mates during the La Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 17, 2019 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - MARCH 17: Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's third goal with team mates during the La Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 17, 2019 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona are looking absolute unstoppable right now

The chances of winning the treble this season had been under question during the run of games following Barcelona’s 6-1 thrashing of Sevilla in the second leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final after losing 2-0 in the first leg away from home.

Ernesto Valverde’s men dropped 4 points in 3 league games, while fighting out a goalless draw in the first leg of the Champions League last 16. But most worryingly, Barça had slipped up in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, giving Real Madrid an away goal in a 1-1 draw.

But the team’s response has been nothing but superb. After the 0-0 draw with Lyon, Barça have gone on a 6-match win streak consisting of consecutive Clásico wins and a 5-1 drubbing of Lyon in the second leg, to progress to the Champions League quarter-final.

Barça seem almost unstoppable right now. Ernesto Valverde’s men have conceded just 4 goals in the last 5 games, and have scored 4 times as many goals. Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez have netted a combined 10 goals within that period, with ‘El Pistolero’ returning to form.

The Messi-Suárez combine was at its best in back-to-back games against Lyon and Real Betis, reminiscent of the era of MSN. On the other hand, the defence has raised its level of performance after Gerard Piqué’s inspired display in Barça’s 1-0 victory in the La Liga Clásico.

The midfield is also doing very well. Arthur had an outstanding passing accuracy of 99% in the 5-1 win over Lyon, while Arturo Vidal was excellent against both Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis in the La Liga. Sergio Busquets has also maintained his good form.

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Ivan Rakitić has been a little inconsistent, but Arturo Vidal has always stepped in whenever required. And despite the injury to Ousmane Dembélé, Philippe Coutinho has regained his confidence with a goal against Lyon.

Moreover, Ernesto Valverde successfully returned to last season’s 4-4-2 formation and that could be the template used till the return of Dembélé. Overall, the entire squad is in tremendous form and it would not come as a shock if Barça seal the league title earlier than expected.

Despite the side’s poor displays against Valencia this season, the record is firmly in favour of Barça in the Copa del Rey, with 5th consecutive title on the cards. The real challenge is the Champions League, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s rejuvenated Manchester United up next.

But if Ernesto Valverde can play his cards right and utilise the depth of the squad to his advantage, a fully rested first-team can guide Barça to the treble, especially with the outstanding form of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.

Next. Barça show flexibility against Real Betis. dark

At this point, it would require a dramatic change in fortunes for Barça to let the treble slip away/