2023 is coming to an end and the one word that best describes FC Barcelona during this calendar year would be inconsistent. The highs and lows, on the field and off the field, by the Blaugrana was still rewarding enough to witness the club become league champions again. Will 2024 be any different?
Barça kicked off 2023 with a bang following their
impressive success of capturing the Supercopa de España in Saudi Arabia. From
that moment, the tide had shifted for Xavi and his players as they enjoyed a
memorable second half of the season in La Liga en route to winning their 27th
league crown. Their elimination in the Copa del Rey by Real Madrid did sting
but there were high hopes for the upcoming 2023-2024 season.
The summer was full of uncertainty regarding who was
coming and leaving the club, players and sporting directors. Eventually, the
club did well in the transfer window, but the club’s league form was shaky.
After 18 matches, the Blaugrana find themselves in 4th place, 7
points behind league leaders Real Madrid. However, the club did finally manage
to overcome their past struggles of advancing from the Champions League group
stages.
2023 can be best described as a yo-yo season or a
roller coaster season for the Blaugrana; full of ups and downs. Injuries and
some bad coaching decisions by Xavi have played a role in the club’s
inconsistency, but interference from the board about who plays, and the
manager’s future is not helping either. Certain players not delivering are also
to blame for the inconsistency.
Here’s hoping Barça will usher in the new year with
vast improvement on and off the pitch for the club. Vitor Roque will be a new
face for the Blaugrana faithful, and hopefully they will be patient with the
Brazilian starlet as he adjusts to a new club, a new league and a new
continent. It all kicks off on January 4th, 2024, when Barca travel
to the Canary Islands to face Las Palmas. We shall see if this will be a start
to a beautiful year.
Take care and have a safe New Year celebration and may
2024 brings us lots of happiness, victories and wonderful memories.
