Gut Check Time For Barça.

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Although we are only in February, the next few matches are essential in how Barça’s season plays out. They face a serious chance of being eliminated from Copa del Rey tomorrow.  They also face an uphill battle in their UEFA Champions League knock out tie with AC Milan.  Thus, the Blaugrana face a difficult test and we can only hope they show enough courage, character, and determination to overcome these upcoming important matches. If not, then their season is over by mid-March. It’s gut check time for Barça if they want to continue their quest for the treble.

The euphoria we were enjoying as we entered this new year was delightful.  Barça had the league all but wrapped up and could shift their focus to the cup encounters in their quest for another treble. Nevertheless, the chances of a treble could be out of the window as soon as tomorrow. Barça’s 1-1 away draw to Real Madrid was disappointing based on the number of absences in Madrid’s lineup. Mourinho now heads to the Camp Nou with his team that has scored 2 goals in their last three visits.

This is a must win game for the club. A high scoring draw eliminates them and they need to win to avenge last season’s loss in what was Mourinho’s first ever victory at the Camp Nou.  They cannot afford to let Real Madrid get a boost of confidence but they have squandered their opportunities to pile on Real Madrid before and let them off the hook. Will history repeat itself tomorrow?

Barça’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Milan is also a difficult obstacle to overcome. They have the players and the pitch to do it. They have defeated Arsenal at the Camp Nou following disappointing first leg results at the Emirates. They need to go out there and scores plenty of goals while keeping a clean sheet.

So Barça have their work cut out for them. If they fail to eliminate Madrid and Milan, then their season is over what with their great lead atop of the standings. It’s time for the players and Roura to display the intestinal fortitude to show they are the best in the world and get the results needed. If not, then we might not have much to look forward too since the league is all but wrapped up. The taste of success will be bitter sweet if that’s all that this side will be celebrating come June.  It’s time for them to get it done.