Auba the Moon

Do you remember the gloomy days of Ronald Koeman’s reign at Barcelona? The boring football, the defeats, the players moaning about not being appreciated? It all feels as if it was ages ago when in fact it’s all happened earlier this season! The good times are back!Barca fans are looking forward to their team’s matches. That fact alone is an amazing turnaround – and it’s all thanks to Xavi Hernandez, the man who has that “something”. He’s been glorious as a player and is already proving like a capable coach – despite being entrusted with one of the most taxing jobs in football.Although the Catalans are only fourth in La Liga standings, there are many positives to talk about. Three wins on the bounce with four goals scored in each of them made the fans dream again – and believe that this team will turn its potential and talent into performances and results.Xavi’s Barcelona in February:4️⃣-2️⃣ Win vs Atletico Madrid4️⃣-1️⃣ Win vs Valencia4️⃣-2️⃣ Win vs Napoli4️⃣-0️⃣ Win vs Athletic BilbaoA new mastermind at the wheel 🧠 pic.twitter.com/TmR0EZSj9D— 433 (@433) February 28, 2022 Although the loss in the Spanish Super Cup was a painful one, Xavi didn’t dwell on it. Instead, everyone worked to bring back the style of football that made Barcelona everyone’s second favourite club. The young coach was once one of the players who made Pep Guardiola’s famous tiki-taka tactics so successful. Today, he’s trying to implement an all-action style on his young team, one that involves quick transition with rapid and devastating counter-attacks.Players who arrived in January took to Barcelona like fish to water. Adama Traore has been excellent on the right wing where he creates something every time he receives the ball. He’s proving a real asset on his return to the club he used to represent at the youth level.Dani Alves has been a breath of fresh air as well. Even though he isn’t quite so quick as he’s been during his first spell, the Brazilian contributes with his vast experience and his sheer quality that is still there. Ferran Torres is playing well, although he’s been missing more chances than expected. Still, his ability and quick feet are sure to aid Barcelona’s attacking play in the future. BREAKING: 5th goal in just 3 games for Barcelona… Aubameyang is making an absolute mockery of Arteta’s ridiculous decision to give him away. @Auba pic.twitter.com/qpeui3YKG1— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 27, 2022 And what can you say about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang? The Gabonese was so eager to show that he’s still capable of playing at the highest level after being frozen out by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal and being forced out of AFCON last month. He’s got five goals in three games over the past week or so. He really hit the ground running.Xavi was beaming after the latest win at Camp Nou. He believed from day one that he’s got the right people in.”I’m not surprised by the effect the new players are having. I’m really happy. We have brought players to the club who can score goals. They are players that make a difference. And we have got Dembele back and he is scoring goals too.”But it would be unfair to say that it’s the new additions to the squad alone who have changed Barcelona’s fortunes. The guys who were already at the club, low on confidence and utterly joyless, have been given a new lease of life by the former Barca captain.’Pedri is the best footballer in the world, reminds me of Iniesta’Pedri is playing according to his reputation of a future Ballon D’Or winner. Even though he’s still only 19 years old, Pedri has been playing with consistency and maturity. With his talent, proper coaching and confidence, there are almost no limits to what he could achieve in the sport. He’s a joy to watch.The old guard, Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets have all been delivering performances aking to those of 2015. Sergino Dest looked certain to leave but has found much-needed consistency under Xavi. And even Ousmane Dembele, the man who was deemed finished after rejecting Barcelona’s offer of a new contract, is playing well. In the last game, he was booed by many fans at Camp Nou and he still got a goal and two assists in the win over Athletic Club. The club hasn’t given up hope that he may still stay.Club president Joan Laporta told Cadena SER reporters that the door remains open for the former Borussia Dortmund winger.”Dembele knows our proposal and that we have always wanted him to stay. We hope that at the end of the season he will rethink it.”‘Why so serious man?’ 😂 @FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/YIl77KoPvF— 433 (@433) February 28, 2022 The good times are back, but the road remains long. The first step is to secure Champions League football for next season. And then? Perhaps a few more shrewd transfers to bolster the squad. Barcelona are believed to be the favourites to land AC Milan’s Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie on a free transfer, for example.The future is bright – at least it appears so.

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