After an extended vacation, I am back writing the blog. The coming week could turn out to be the most important week for FC Barcelona this season. After achieving a historic treble, no team would like to be thrown out of UEFA Champions League in the group stage, but the chances are pretty high for that to happen. First there is a visit to San Mamés Stadium tomorrow. Then it will be the all importnat clash between Inter and Barca at Camp Nou, a game which Barca has to win to keep their hopes alive. Then it will be the El Classico that will be on next week. There is no doubt about which one is the most importnat clash - the Inter clash. A failure to win against Inter will see Barca most probably crashing out of the Champions League. Inter meanwhile would be very happy with a draw and will most probably employing tactics to yield such a result. El Classico, may not be as important as the Inter clash; but from the historic point of view no Barcelona side can afford to take that match lightly. To make matters worse these matches come after the international break and it has to be seen how the team cope with the break.The performance of the team after an international break has not been encouraging so far. But this international break is kind of diffrent. Most of the Latin American players didn't have to make the journey to South America and most of other players were available for training earlier than usual. The form of Iniesta for Spain is very encouraging for Barca. He has been exceptional in the last two matches and could prove the difference in the Inter clash. Ibrahmovic will miss tomorrow's Athletic clash, but is expected to be fit for Inter clash. The jury is still out on Ibra's purchase. He provides you with an extra option, no doubt about that - like holding the ball, great dribbling and kind of aerial strength. But in my opinion he also takes away a major factor of Barca's success last season - speed on counter. And also he has not shown anything special, to be a constant aerial threat against organised defenses. But still he looks ok. Another good news was the return of Gabi Milito in action. Gabi Milito played in a friendly match against Bolivian team Bolivar.
FC Barcelona's performance this season has a tad resemblance to our performance in the 2006-07 season. Especially the away form we are displaying resembles a lot to that season. May be it's too early to panic but it would be great to see Guardiola taking note of the same.