As this team continues to dominate games, dominate possession, thrash teams, reach and win finals, score plenty of goals, the debate on how good this team will continue. I am of the opinion that it isn't a debate anymore and when you turn your tv on to watch FC Barcelona you are watching the greatest football team in the world, not necessarily club. This team plays flawless football for majority of the season and deserve the rights to be called the best team. There are world class players almost every where for this team.
The grit of Puyol alongside the poise and ball control of Gerard Pique at the heart of the back keeping a solid central defence. Flanked by them you have the world's best attacking wing back in Dani Alves who continue to be crucial to this team since he has arrived, and Eric Abidal the true champion of this team and has been class ever since his Lyon days. in Victor Valdes they have an accident prone goalkeeper but is hardly tested, and I will state why.
At the top they have three 5 foot players that cause havoc anywhere in the world in Leo Messi, David Villa and the tireless Pedro. In Messi they arguably have the best player in the world based on technical ability and finishing for sure. David Villa has been sensational in Spain for years and showed his class with his finish in the Champions League final. Pedro in my opinion their weakest attacker in the starting 11 continues to impress and perform at the highest level scoring in crucial games like the Classico and the Champions League final.
For me however, it is the midfield that allows this team to be the best in the world and for me to go even further and say the best ever. In Xavi Hernandez and Iniesta, you witness two players in their prime that do no know their limits.For me the two best Spanish midfielders of all time and arguably two of the best of all time. They would warrant a place in any team within the past 20 years ATLEAST. Although Lionel Messi continues to score more goals and drop jaws, he would be a shadow of a player without these two, lets take for example his Argentine performances.However, these two players have dominated world football for the past 3-4 seasons and have hardly faced opposition that can actually make them sweat. The beauty of these two midfielders is that they let the ball do the work. One of the biggest principles of the game. They know when and where and have a Football IQ of 1000000. They are two mid fielders that know about dictating tempo of a game to allow their team to get into a groove of smooth flowing football that's like Eye-Candy for a football lover. With their ability to hold the ball so well it is a defence within an offense as an opposing team can not score if they do not have the ball. It is a philosophy that these two live by and with Iniesta and Xavi being partnered with Sergio Busquets they have a highly tactical player that knows his role and allows them their freedom but sitting deep and breaking up play and intercepting then quickly feeding them to allow these two maetros to rack up ridiculous passing statistics.
I have broken down this unit to show its class in every department but notice the word used..."Unit". This is exactly what FC Barcelona is. It is a unit, a team, full of friendships that desire to play with each other and are highly motivated to become the best and continue winning. They convincingly play the most attractive football with amazing combinations and intricate play that is second to none in this sport. As beautiful as they are on the attack, they are just as amazing on the defense. Every player is a work horse and when they lose the ball they fight to win it back and its a fantastic tactic employed by their extremely successful coach. As the players say, "they play football the right way and deserve to win". It is true.
The most scared question to ask now is, " How long will this Barcelona Team Dominate" and to be honest it is hard to see anyone knocking them off their perch anytime soon. They dismantled the next two strongest teams in the world ( Real Madrid, Manchester United) like they were playing a team from sunday league. What I will say is this team has weaknesses like all teams and it comes in their bench. Not many people would know their bench because they hardly ever need it. That will not be the case as all of their players will be older and teams will start getting used to their style of play and they will need options. They have gone in the right direction with Ibrahim Afellay but besides that its a very basic bench for a starting 11 so bolstered. If they ever land the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Guiseppe Rossi as linked, the world will fear the worst. This team will dominate for years. Congratulations FC Barcelona, the Greatest Football Team ...Ever.
