Can They Handle the Pressure?

Football does not have a kind memory. No matter what was done yesterday, today and the present are all that matters. In less than a month everyone will have forgotten about Barcelona´s glorious year. After achieving the ``triplete´´ and displaying the best football seen in decades; all that is left is confusion, questions and doubts.

Before Pep Guardiola showed up after a month of vacation everything was a mess in ``Can Barça´´. Laporta and his group of directors were paying more attention to Florentino and his money instead of taking care of their own business. Such is the case that they had trouble to renew the contracts of several players like Valdes, Toure, Messi, Marquez, and Puyol. These last two have not signed yet a new contract. It is unbelievable that the captain and one of the most representative players for the club is still concerned about his future.

Also, Laporta and his crew forgot about bringing new faces to the squad. Guardiola let them know a long time ago that he wanted a number nine, a left back, a midfielder, a stopper and a left winger. The young coach knew that money was short and he asked at least for three of those positions. So far only two have come: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell. Many names have risen as possible newcomers like Fabregas, Mata, Eboue, etc; but most of the money is gone and the market is very rough. The ``Cule´´ fans are still hoping for a new recruit to come in.

Another aspect is that Txiki Beguiristain and the managers failed to get rid of some of the players that did not fit in the squad. Martin Caceres, Hleb, and Gudjohnsen were the main three candidates to leave the club and bring some coin to the Camp Nou. So far Caceres and Hleb have left but both of them on loans, which did not produce any cash to the Catalunyans.

The final piece of this disaster was the situation with Samuel Etoo. The coach warned Txiki and Laporta that he did not want ``Samu´´ under his orders this year, and he did it right after the final in Rome. The whole story became a soap opera in which eventually Etoo was part of the deal to bring Zlatan to the club.

Luckily Guardiola showed up and he brought some common sense with him. The team started to work and he took 8 players from ``La Masia´´ to the first tour in England and 4 for the tour in the U.S. His demands are still the same, but if those new players do not arrive; he will not hesitate in playing with Pedrito, Jeffren, Fontas, Muniesa, Dos Santos, or many others. All eyes are on his back and everyone keeps asking if the ``Tricampeones´´ will be able to compete with the ``NeoGalacticos´´.

The squad looks a bit short and the first competition of the season starts on Sunday in San Mames. Messi, Henry, Marquez, Ibra, and Iniesta might not be playing so this could be a great test for Guardiola and his pupils. Once all these players are back with the team, we will probably see the same magic as last year. The only doubt is if Zlatan will improve on what Samuel Etoo did in the past. The Swede is more skillful and offers a more all round package as a #9, adding his powerful game in the air. But and this is crucial; he probably does not sacrifice himself in defense as much as the African lion used to. This was one of the keys for Barcelona´s success last year. Etoo started pressing the other teams´ defenders very high and the team used to get the ball back in good positions for quick attacks and transitions. Ibrahimovic will improve the flow of the ball and its distribution, but we do not know how the team will perform without it.

A new season begins this weekend with the ``Supercopa´´ and there are still many things up in the air about this team. It sounds funny after all they achieved last season, but that does not count any more. It is time to see if they are able to keep the level and the magic which the whole world admired no more than 3 months ago.

*Again thanks to Nando our Spanish Mole ;)