Barcelona will win domestic and European treble - Revista de La Liga panel
Monday 18 May 2015 20:51, UK
Barcelona are capable of winning a second domestic and European treble in the space of six years after clinching the La Liga title, according to the Revista de La Liga panel.
Luis Enrique’s side sealed a fifth Primera Division crown in seven seasons – their 23rd overall – with a 1-0 victory at defending champions Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Guillem Balague and Gaizka Mendieta both expect Barca to overcome Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final, and Juventus in the Champions League final to emulate Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side of 2009.
However, while tipping Barca to win the lot, Balague believes the current crop at the Camp Nou will be viewed in less regard than their predecessors.
“Barcelona can absolutely win the treble, but this isn’t a team that many books will be written about,” he said.
“This is a team that wins, a goalscoring team which is really strong in both boxes.
“Defending, they’ve conceded 19 goals, attacking; the front three have scored 115 goals. Great, big numbers.
“Teams remain in the memory of people because they take football to another level, and that’s Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side of 2009.
“This team can still win the treble, they haven’t got the same romanticism but it would still be an extraordinary feat.”
Luis Enrique has brought something else to this team. Previously, teams had found a way to play against Barcelona and they struggled to win games and titles. Barcelona are now a more complete team and, while they don’t have the romance of Pep’s team, in general, it is a more practical and better team.
While agreeing with Balague’s claim, Mendieta argued Barca were a more complete and better team under the tutelage of Enrique.
“Luis Enrique has brought something else to this team,” Mendieta said.
“Previously, teams had found a way to play against Barcelona and they struggled to win games and titles.
“If you go and press high, like Atletico did today, you leave space for Neymar, (Luis) Suarez and (Lionel) Messi to exploit.
“Barcelona are now a more complete team, while they don’t have the romance of Pep’s team, in general, it is a more practical and better team.
“Can they win the treble? They will definitely win the treble – this is a team you can rely on.
“Obviously games need to played and they can be lost, but this is a team you know will compete and score goals.”
Watch Revista de La Liga live on Monday, 6pm, Sky Sports 5 HD
Revista De La Liga
