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Barcelona: Quality can go far, but not the full distance

By Chiranjib Ghosh

Barcelona's French forward Ousmane Dembele (R) scores a goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 6, 2019. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona's French forward Ousmane Dembele (R) scores a goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 6, 2019. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Barcelona are yet to hit top form despite a positive result against Sevilla

The recent struggles of Ernesto Valverde’s side have been accentuated by niggling injury problems faced by important players. That issue is slowly disappearing, but Barcelona need to gel as a group of players even with the 4-0 win over Sevilla.

All four goals scored against Los Nervionsenses were the result of individual quality. They were all fantastic, and aesthetically beautiful. But they were the result of the millions spent, and despite their magnificence, they were not unique to Barça.

Barça teams are known for their teamwork. Of course, the club has had some of the best players in the world. But it was their ability to work together which set Barça apart from the rest of Europe’s elite. That difference should not erode. It cannot erode.

The first goal was simply magical, but it was due to Luis Suárez’s prodigious skill in the box. The last goal was similar, a display of pure skill and ability. The second goal, scored by Arturo Vidal off a weighted cross from Arthur, had some semblance of a typical Barça goal.

Ousmane Dembélé’s goal was a result of a mistake by Sevilla, and a testament to his dribbling and composure. None of these goals deserve to be discredited in any way, but they are not Barça goals. They are goals scored by any in-form run-of-the-mill Premier League top 6 side.

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Barça’s players have rediscovered form, but not Barça. An odd statement that can be made only about the Blaugrana, such is its uniqueness. Moreover, the defence still needs a lot of work after leaking a lot of goals recently.

The midfield also needs to learn to work together. Frenkie de Jong and Arthur have individually excelled. But they need to form an understanding so that the passing lane between them is not easily closed down by opposition midfielders.

Frenkie de Jong also needs to help out Gerard Piqué in defence by cutting out through balls. Arthur has to form a connection with the left-back and the left winger, like Andrés Iniesta. If Arturo Vidal makes it into the first-team, he also needs to work on his passing game.

Luis Suárez is another player who needs to get into sync with his teammates. His recent goalscoring form has been unbelievable, but the 32-year old Uruguayan centre-forward has been unimpressive outside the box.

Lionel Messi has just returned to first-team, and he needs some more time to get back his mojo. The same goes for Ousmane Dembélé, who was never much of a team player in the first place. The Frenchman needs to learn the passing game characterising Barça.

Next. First-team taking shape under Valverde. dark

Quality, and poor finishing from the opposition, got Barça a 4-0 victory against Sevilla. But it will not get Barça a win against the likes of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. The unit needs to gel, and play the beautiful football that Barcelona represent.