As you may or may not know, football or “soccer” season has begun all over europe. The campaighn has begun for teams such as Inter Milan, Lyon, Manchester United, and (most importantly) the blaugradas, FCBarcelona of “La Liga”, in Spain. A third place finish left many of the barca faithful not only wanting more, but also hating Real Madrid just alittle bit more than they already have. This new regime ( almost literally, with the skin-of-the-teeth approval rating of Joan Laporta, President of the Club) has asparation of winning the league as well as Europe in an entertaining and spectacular fashion which could only reflect the Barcelona glory of the “Dream Team” in the 90’s.
Under new manager, “Pep” Guardiola ( former Defensive Midfielder and Captain of that Dream Team), Barcelona looks forward to having a faster, more effective offensive game. This is ever so present in three main decisions, two of them being key signings. Barca signed Belarus international and former Gunner, Alexander Hleb, whom at the very least will provide not only assists, but depth on the bench as well. Barcelona also signed Brazilian “attacking-defender” Dani Alves as there major summer signing. Alves will add to an already solid defense and will act as another target for Leo Messi (my favorite player and Barca’s new #10…p.s.: I wish Ronaldinho, former #10, the best of luck at AC Milan). The last thing Barca did right was keeping Samuel Eto’o, who for a lack of better words is a beast at goal. He was linked to a move to a french side, but his performance in the pre-season showed the new manager what would not be in the Barca attack if he had departed.
All and all, I hope (along with many others) that this new-look FCBarcelona will lead to championships and most important of all, dam-good-footyball.
