Barcelonas eight LaLiga titles in 11 years is a once in a generation feat, but the shadow of Liverpool looms large

Barcelonas eight LaLiga titles in 11 years is a once in a generation feat, but the shadow of Liverpool looms large
Barcelona wrapping up their eighth LaLiga title in 11 years should not be seen as par for the course, it is a remarkable feat that should be given the credit it deserves.Consider the context of what they have done. The Blaugrana have consistently blown away all domestic competition in a league where during that time period their opponents included a team that won four Champions Leagues, another that has twice been Champions League finalists, and there was also the added nuisance of a Sevilla side that won three Europa Leagues in three years.4

Barcelona players celebrate their LaLiga title win on Saturday

Knockout tournaments can be glorious and unpredictable, but for coaches, leagues are the marathons that truly distinguish a countrys greatest side.Even the coach of Baras fiercest rivals admitted as much, when it would have been easier to point to his own European trophy-haul as a distraction. LaLiga is the most important competition for me. In the Champions League you have 12 or 13 games. If you win the league its bang, bang, bang, every day, Zinedine Zidane noted earlier this week.And you can bet the Frenchman will be focusing on Spains domestic championship next season.Diego Simeone, the man in charge of the Blaugranas closest league challengers of the last two seasons (and who would probably have a couple more league titles in his trophy cabinet if it wasnt for the misfortune of bad timing), is similarly clear on the matter. Barcelona have been the best team in the world in recent years, despite not winning in Europe, the numbers theyve produced in Spain have been tremendous, the Argentinian affirmed earlier this season. But Bara want more. Making the extraordinary seem normal was the slogan on the celebratory t-shirts worn by the squad after the final whistle against Levante. That phrase doesnt only apply to their supporters, it has also penetrated the mind-set of their players, the people who have to get the job done, week in, week out. Their celebrations on Saturday night felt genuine but also subdued.The spectacle, with fireworks and lasers, ticked all the necessary boxes but not didnt quite go full-pelt thanks to the telling decisions for none of the players to make a speech to the crowd.Aware that in only a few days something huge is once again at stake, the club has been managing every detail with skill. Now, they focus on the cup that their greatest player, Lionel Messi, wants more than any other.We won the cup and the league last year but the Champions League irks us. We are going to give everything to bring that beautiful cup back to the Camp Nou, the Bara captain said in his pre-season speech back in August, throwing down the gauntlet and setting an expectation that has stuck ever since.4

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates with the Liga trophy as Barcelona won their 26th league title

How Bara manage the mental aspect of those expectations will be key against Liverpool. In previous years they have been able to call upon a squad deep with experienced, seasoned winners who revelled under that kind of pressure. But as their golden generation is gradually phased out, they now have to rely upon a more human crop to get the job done.It was no surprise therefore to see how nerves affected some of them in their league title decider on Saturday. Against one of the poorer sides in LaLiga and with one eye on Liverpool, Valverde took the understandable decision to start Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi on the bench.Without them, there was a touch more anxiety than we are used to seeing from the Catalans in clutch games. It was evident in how Philippe Coutinho passed up several golden chances to open the scoring in the first half. In how Gerard Piqu had to bail out some of his shaky defensive partners as Levante pushed to spoil the party, and in how Valverde felt obliged to bring Busquets on to try and ride out a nervy final 20 minutes.4

Gerard Pique got his team-mates out of trouble against Levante

We have seen those rocky periods before this year the sleepwalking opening ten minutes against Manchester United on April 16stands out.A repeat against Liverpool who, unlike Levante or United, have the attacking talent and ruthlessness to punish passive opponents, could be fatal for Barcelonas European hopes.4

Liverpool represent a huge threat to Barcelona’s Champions League hopes.

When the lasers and fireworks were over on Saturday, Valverde, quoting handball legend Valero Rivera, delivered some typically wise words that could prove salient in the coming week: Winning is difficult, but it is more difficult to win again.Barcelona have won no less than eight times in 11 years. Yet for now, all of that will matter less than whether they win or not in only three days.

---

Vincent Kompany: Five player-managers who prove Manchester City captain has a real difficult task ahead 22nd May 2019 News Puddle 0 Comments talkSPORT Spread the love
News list for five player-managers who prove manchester city

---

Feb 11 (Reuters) - Defender Willy Boly headed in a dramatic equaliser in the dying seconds as Wolverhampton Wanderers snatched a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Monday
Moutinho praises battling Wolves but also sees room for

---

Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE blog dedicated to the latest transfer news and rumours. the Crystal Palace star is a transfer target for the club. signing Josh Maja from
Sunderland AFC - SAFC news, transfer news and fixtures

---

INTER AND NIKE, THE NEW HOME KIT FOR 2015/16 The new home kit for the 2015/16 season was unveiled during Inter Night. The iconic wide black and blue stripes return, heralding the
Football Shirts: Brazil Home Kit Selling Hot - Free Shipping

---

Virgil Van Dijk believes Liverpool can use their Champions League escape against Napoli as a springboard to win Europe's elite club competition. Jurgen Klopp's side booked their place in the last
Four stories from Liverpool players after Champions League

---

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is hoping his former club Liverpool can do him some favours in the transfer market this summer. The Glasgow side are looking to have a busy summer of recruitment as they aim to end Celtic's dominance next season and win the Scottish Premiership.
Steven Gerrard wants three Liverpool youngsters to boost

---

Mauricio Pochettino admitted that he has to "accept rumours" after finding himself linked with the vacant Manchester United job. Pochettino, speaking just hours after his friend Jose Mourinho was dismissed by United, shrugged that such speculation was just "part of our business".
Unai Emery urges Mauricio Pochettino to reject Manchester

---

John Motson slams VAR after Manchester United penalty controversy: 'I call it Virtual Absolute Rubbish - it doesn't work!' admin March 7, 2019 MOTTY RANTS The broadcasting legend insists the Red Devils' match-winning penalty in their stunning Champions League comeback should NOT have been given John Motson launched…
Bad Breath: Causes & Treatment Options (Full Eps)

---

Friday's draw for the 2018 World Cup will sort the field of 32 countries into eight first-round groups. How they got to Russia, and what they expect when they get there, is differ
Strictly Come Dancing 2017 News - TellyStats

---

NO COMMENT The Spurs boss is one of the favourites for the Old Trafford job following Jose Mourinho's departure, which was confirmed on Sunday morning Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino refused to be drawn on the rumours linking him with the Manchester United job following Jose Mourinho's sacking.
Jose Mourinho sacked: Mauricio Pochettino refuses to address

---

If Game of Thrones characters were footballers featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho and Lionel Messi Wednesday, 15 May 2019 ( 3 weeks ago ) Alexis Sanchez has drawn comparisons with Game of Thrones character Cersei Lannister in the latest low for the Manchester United striker.
If Game of Thrones characters were footballers | SportSpyder

---

Danny Murphy in talkSPORT debate verdict Former midfielder casts doubt over Spurs' title challenge, but praises their amazing form despite not playing in home stadium Tottenham maintaining their Premier League title challenge without playing at a home stadium has been nothing short of amazing, Danny Murphy has told talkSPORT.
Danny Murphy (footballer, born 1977) - Wikipedia

---

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri believes Ruben Loftus-Cheek's tactical improvement has helped him solve many problems in the past few weeks. Loftus-Cheek started the season behind Mateo Kovacic and

---

Steven Gerrard admitted Rangers cannot afford to stand still after their Old Firm success if they want to overtake Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership. The Ibrox boss masterminded Gers' first
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard pinpoints KEY Celtic plan before

---