How Barcelona will cope without Andres Iniesta in midfield
When Andres Iniesta went down clutching his hamstring, the groans from Camp Nou could be heard right across Barcelona. Their captain would follow Lionel Messi onto the treatment table and, although it first appeared a two-week break would be enough to clear up El Ilusionista’s trouble, it now seems that four to six weeks off of elite combat is a far more accurate gauge as to how long Barca will need to cope without him.
It is the first time in a long time that a Barcelona side is devoid of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi and, boy, does it show. Lethargy and telegraphed passing has taken the place of pin-point sharp and glorious tiki-taka. So exactly how will the Catalans cope over the next few weeks?
Luckily the fixture list has been kind to them. Their next four games are all winnable with respect to each opponent. Rayo Vallecano, Bate Borisov, Eibar and Getafe should not give the Blaugrana too many nightmares. But they will still have to be on their game if they want to secure maximum points.
The Clasico clash against Real Madrid in November is the one that looms largest, but Iniesta should be back and firing by that point. Messi too.
Who can Luis Enrique play and where?
Luis Enrique does have the luxury of options on the left side of midfield, but whether he chooses to use them is another issue entirely. Bizarrely against Sevilla in the first match where Iniesta was missing for the full 90, Lucho chose to station Sergio Busquets in a wider role than what he is used to. Ivan Rakitic had a more roving presence, but Barca have far, far better options that Busquets as a left-sided midfielder.
For example, Alejandro Grimaldo, Barca B’s captain, is crying out for some game time at senior level. A lack of experience hampers him of course. But if the club want to start singing the praises of La Masia from the rooftops again, then sooner or later they are going to have to blood someone properly. Not just a token few minutes here and there, but a run of games.
This was the perfect opportunity to give Grimaldo the time that he needs in the first-team to prove to everyone, and himself, that he has what it takes to become the new standard-bearer of Barca’s famed academy.
Rakitic could certainly do a job there as he has showed just this past week with the Croatian national side. His first-class skill set is allied to a tremendous football brain giving him the opportunity to make the right decisions 99 times out of 100.
With Sergi Roberto doing so well in the right-back role, what is stopping Enrique from pushing Dani Alves even further forward for a few weeks? Defending has never been his strong suit anyway, so there is a win-win situation there if Enrique wants it. It would allow Busquets to reprise his central role and push Javier Mascherano back into the centre of defence alongside Gerard Pique. For now, that is the best combination that Barcelona have centrally.
Jeremy Mathieu, for all of his aerial abilities, has been a liability if the ball has been played along the ground. Opposition teams have been quick to work it out and a continuation of the same would be sheer bloody-mindedness from the manager.
In hindsight, keeping Alen Halilovic on the wings for another half season may not have been such a bad idea. The ‘Croatian Messi’ has bagged a whole host of new admirers after his exploits already this season with Sporting Gijon, where the youngster has been nothing short of a revelation.
More short-sightedness from Barcelona in the pursuit of immediate gratification and success.
Sergi Samper and Gerard Gumbau are still waiting for a crack at the big time and would surely be delighted for some action, even if it were not in their favoured positions. Barcelona players are known for their ball-playing ability and in their current predicament they do present Enrique with more food for thought.
What a pity that Rafinha has also succumbed to injury because he would also be an easy pick in the position. Arda Turan too, if FIFA would actually see a little common sense for a change. FIFA and common sense. No, it doesn’t look right, does it?
In short, there is no reason whatsoever why Barcelona can’t ride out this particular storm. They were lacklustre against Bayer Leverkusen, where they got out of jail, and even more flat against Sevilla where they got exactly what they deserved.
It is time for the players to put their heads above the parapet and bring their A-game to the party. Despite the shattering loss to Celta Vigo, where they were comprehensively outplayed, and the defeat in Andalusia, Barca still remain just a point off of top spot with games against most of their major rivals played already.
If they safely negotiate these next half dozen games, the Catalans could be approaching the Christmas period in the healthiest of shape. Any more long-term injuries could seriously affect the team dynamic and equilibrium, of course, but Barcelona do still have the resources to cope. It is time for them to mine their own gold.