EBarcelona has a trident again. The classic 1-4-3-3 that Bara bets on in modern times and that has led him to sign the best years in his history makes sense again this season. Against Espanyol, in the Catalan derby, Xavi could start for the first time with the trident that excites Barcelona fans today: Adama, Ferran and Aubameyang.
Since Neymar left in the summer of 2017, the Bara has not found a similar communion between its three men of attack. And not be because he hasn’t tried. Total, four seasons and 552 million euros invested in search of a formula that, in sight, the Bara has not been able to find.
The most daring attempt and the strongest investment came at the same time that Neymar made his way to Paris. He had to give a blow of effect and the Bara signed Ousmane Dembl and Philippe Coutinho. In total, 275 million and two clear bets on the future, but also on the present. That same season, in addition, Gerard Deulofeu returned.
In that course, 17-18, with Ernesto Valverde at the helm, Bara ended up playing the big games of the season with a 1-4-4-2 with Paulinho as arrival to accompany Messi and Luis Surez in the auction. Between the two great signings of that season, Coutinho and Dembl, they barely scored eleven goals.
For the following campaign, they continued to rely on that double signing and that attack was reinforced with the arrival of Malcolm for 41 million. As happened the previous season, the best third element to accompany Messi and Surez was a midfielder: Arturo vidal. The Chilean became the Paulinho of that year for Ernesto Valverde. Dembl finishes with 14 goals that season and Coutinho with 11 goals.
Griezmann, the frustrated bet
In 2019-20 Bara seems, finally, to sign a top-level star to cover the gap left by Neymar and that no one had been able to close: Antoine Griezmann. Bara disburses 120 kilos for a proven footballer who, a priori, seems to fit perfectly in society with Messi and Surez. However, his beginnings are not easy and although his numbers are not bad, the Frenchman’s game is not convincing. The Frenchman finishes with 15 goals in 48 games. burst this year Ansu Fati, that unleashes the euphoria in Barcelona. His presence, that is, is that of a young youth squad player who is gradually joining the team. He still can’t assume that star role.
Luis Surez, the next to leave
One by one, everything seems ready to form a trident of guarantees. Dirty Luis Surez of the equation, discarding Koeman and heading to Madrid, but the feeling is that Griezmann, after the first year of adaptation, will raise the level and Ansu Fati be ready to be the new star of Bara. In addition, Bara spends 31 million to bring the Portuguese crack. The first continues to drag doubts game after game, the second suffers a serious injury and the third never becomes a real alternative to occupy a band at the Camp Nou. The result is a Koeman surviving with the appearances, by drops, of Coutinho and Dembl.
Along the way they tried another handful of good players like Andr GomesDenis SurezRafinhaKevin Prince BoatengBraithwaite… and none ended up settling down to form a trident of guarantees. Now, with Adama’s stellar debut, Ferran’s goalscoring instinct and Aubameyang’s career, Barcelona fans dream again of a trident that dominates in Spain, and who knows if in Europe. MSN’s shadow is longer than ever
