In the days following Barcelona’s impressive triumph in the Champions League final, a question that was unthinkable a few months ago has been put forward to experts and fans alike. Who would triumph if Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona played Luis Enrique’s Barcelona?
On the face of it, the question might reek of the standard knee-jerk reaction that football constantly evokes. But it is not. Although Guardiola’s Barcelona is the 21st century’s gold standard for most football lovers, Enrique has added different weapons to the Catalan side’s arsenal.
It’s a fitter team now too; and one must recall that Pep’s charges were among the fittest in the world when he led them. The move to a more vertical style has allowed the current Barcelona side to let its individuals bloom.
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While Pep’s team made football excellent by a collective effort that possessed the occasional sparks of individualism, Enrique’s collective provides a greater room for the individuals to have their say.
The harmony is indeed surprising when one considers the storm at the beginning of the year. Enrique’s confidant and club director Andoni Zubizarreta was removed and there were reports of a bust-up between the manager and Lionel Messi.
Most managers wouldn’t survive such a scenario but Enrique saw the tough period off. He put the differences away, turned the team’s confidence around and converted the group into an unstoppable force.
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Since losing 0-1 to Real Sociedad on January 4, Barcelona won 31 of the next 35 matches in all competitions. Two were drawn, one of them on the final day of the season with La Liga title already sealed. And one of the two losses arrived in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich, a match that had little riding on it once Barcelona had scored twice early.
While Enrique has extended his contract with the club until June 2017, it will take something exceptional to replicate this season’s exploits in the future. But, with Barcelona’s core set to remain, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we finally see a side winning the Champions League in consecutive seasons — an achievement not repeated since Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan in 1989-90.
While the team’s strength is expected to retain its potency, the Catalan club won’t have the calming presence of Xavi in the dressing room. With the midfielder moving to Qatar’s Al-Sadd, new leaders will need to emerge within the group.
It’s a problem that may emerge for Juventus too as Andrea Pirlo may still decide to quit the club. But the Old Lady of Turin is well-placed to become a European force again. The club has established itself on sound financial footing over the last five years and it no longer needs to sell its best players.
In Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus also has a Luis Enrique-type figure who shrugged off the early doubts to bring resounding success to the team.
The two sides produced a cracking final on Saturday and it wouldn’t be a surprise if we see more such clashes in the coming years.