It’s surely all over for Barcelona now
Some weeks back Real Madrid had an 8 point lead in the race for the Spanish title. Barcelona clawed them back to just 2 points but in the space of a couple of weeks the gap is 8 again.
A tepid performance against Villarreal last night saw them lose 2-1 and without Lionel Messi they look pedestrian in attack. Remarkable when you consider the front three last night was Ronaldinho - Eto’o - Henry. The former Arsenal man was so poor he was hauled off with about 25 minutes to go, Barcelona one down, for the 17 year old Bojan.
The Spanish adventure isn’t really working out for Thierry, is it? He’s scored some goals but has never looked even close to reaching the heights he did at Arsenal. Say what you want about unfamiliar systems and having to adapt to a new country but Henry is a hugely experienced world class player going from one top club to another. He looked like he didn’t much care last night.
A rot has set in at Barcelona now. Rijkaard looks likely to move on in the summer, or be moved on. They seem stale, even with young talent like Bojan, Dos Santos and Messi coming through.
To have opened up the title race again and then let it slip so badly is definitely the sign of a deep malaise at the club. Two years ago Barcelona were ruthless and, while they wouldn’t have found themselves 8 behind in the first place, they certainly wouldn’t have capitulated like they have in recent weeks.
It’s Madrid’s title to lose.