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He came, he saw and he conquered. David Villa's first season at FC Barcelona couldn't have been more successful.
He took no time adapting to the club and the system, he fully gelled with Pedro and Messi and he scored an excellent 23 goals (and 11 assists). His work rate was exceptional and took Barcelona's high pressure to yet another level.
Now in his second season, Villa should be even better: we can expect him to maintain the high level shown in 2010-2011 and probably score even more goals.
David Ramos/Getty Images
He took no time adapting to the club and the system, he fully gelled with Pedro and Messi and he scored an excellent 23 goals (and 11 assists). His work rate was exceptional and took Barcelona's high pressure to yet another level.
Now in his second season, Villa should be even better: we can expect him to maintain the high level shown in 2010-2011 and probably score even more goals.
David Ramos/Getty Images
Pedro was promoted to the first team by Pep Guardiola in 2009 and he hasn't disappointed.
He has scored more than 20 goals in each of his two full seasons at Barcelona, holding the best goals per shots ratio in the team (one goal for each two shots). He's one of the best shooters and finishers in football at the moment.
He might not be as good a dribbler as Messi or Iniesta, but he's a vital member of the team. He might not do fancy stuff, but he surely knows where the net is.
Besides, if Villa's work rate is excellent, what can you say about Pedro, who's always running and harassing opponents?
He also links up perfectly with Messi and Villa, with whom he forms the most prolific attacking trio in football these days.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
He has scored more than 20 goals in each of his two full seasons at Barcelona, holding the best goals per shots ratio in the team (one goal for each two shots). He's one of the best shooters and finishers in football at the moment.
He might not be as good a dribbler as Messi or Iniesta, but he's a vital member of the team. He might not do fancy stuff, but he surely knows where the net is.
Besides, if Villa's work rate is excellent, what can you say about Pedro, who's always running and harassing opponents?
He also links up perfectly with Messi and Villa, with whom he forms the most prolific attacking trio in football these days.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Does this one even need any explanation?
Keeping Messi out of the lineup would be a crime against football, one which would certainly get Pep Guardiola fired. It's not only Barcelona fans who want to see Messi play, it's every true fan of the beautiful game.
Lionel Messi is the greatest player in the greatest and most popular sport in the world. People are paying for their tickets to see Messi play. They'd riot if he didn't!
David Ramos/Getty ImagesAs you might have noticed, this lineup is exactly the same that defeated Real Madrid 5-0 in that historic and unforgettable November night. It's Barcelona's vintage XI.
But the season is long (Barcelona can play up to 65 matches) and Pep Guardiola will need to rotate his squad a lot to keep everyone fresh.
In defense, the likes of Andreu Fontás (CB), Adriano Correia (LB/RB) and Maxwell (LB) will be called upon on several occasions, with Javier Mascherano being a possibility for the center back role also (especially if Carles Puyol doesn't fully recover).
Given that Barcelona are a bit short on defense, youth players like Bartra and Muniesa might need to be called upon as well.
In midfield, Javier Mascherano will provide cover for Sergio Busquets, while Seydou Keita, Ibrahim Afellay, Thiago Alcantara and maybe even Cesc Fabregas will be more than enough cover for Xavi and Iniesta.
In attack, new signing Alexis Sanchez will slowly be integrated into the team, but he will surely have a role to play. He offers things that Villa and Pedro do not (pace, dribbling...) and will provide a new dimension to Barcelona's attack.
It's a long season and everyone will have a role to play. Barcelona have the best starting XI in the world, but that won't be enough. They need their squad players to be at their very best if they wish to continue their successful run.
Keeping Messi out of the lineup would be a crime against football, one which would certainly get Pep Guardiola fired. It's not only Barcelona fans who want to see Messi play, it's every true fan of the beautiful game.
Lionel Messi is the greatest player in the greatest and most popular sport in the world. People are paying for their tickets to see Messi play. They'd riot if he didn't!
David Ramos/Getty Images
But the season is long (Barcelona can play up to 65 matches) and Pep Guardiola will need to rotate his squad a lot to keep everyone fresh.
In defense, the likes of Andreu Fontás (CB), Adriano Correia (LB/RB) and Maxwell (LB) will be called upon on several occasions, with Javier Mascherano being a possibility for the center back role also (especially if Carles Puyol doesn't fully recover).
Given that Barcelona are a bit short on defense, youth players like Bartra and Muniesa might need to be called upon as well.
In midfield, Javier Mascherano will provide cover for Sergio Busquets, while Seydou Keita, Ibrahim Afellay, Thiago Alcantara and maybe even Cesc Fabregas will be more than enough cover for Xavi and Iniesta.
In attack, new signing Alexis Sanchez will slowly be integrated into the team, but he will surely have a role to play. He offers things that Villa and Pedro do not (pace, dribbling...) and will provide a new dimension to Barcelona's attack.
It's a long season and everyone will have a role to play. Barcelona have the best starting XI in the world, but that won't be enough. They need their squad players to be at their very best if they wish to continue their successful run.
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