After their horrible last year, FC Barcelona made many outstanding signings at the beginning of this season and built a strong team that can challenge all competitions.
The summer signings have not taken long to settle and the Catalans have started a great start to the season. Barcelona won the last five of their six La Liga games demolishing their opponents. They are currently in second place in the Spanish league with sixteen points from six matches, behind defending champion Real Madrid.
Most of the Barcelona players are in great form. This resulted in 18 Barcelona players receiving call-ups from their country. (Robert Lewandowski, Ter Stegan, Kessie, Christiansen, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Pedri, Eric Garcia, Aranau Tenas, Alexander Balde, Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong, Kounde, Dembele, Araujo)
There were many ups and downs for the Barcelona players in this window. We’ll see.
Oops for the Barcelona players
The biggest positive of the international window has been the Brazilian side, Raphinha. Raphinha provided the assist for Brazil’s first goal against Ghana. Brazil won that match with three goals. In the following match against Tunisia, Raphinha opened the scoring with a brilliant header. he then helped Richalison recover before scoring his second goal of the match in the 40th minute. As a result, Brazil won the match 5–1.
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski continued his excellent club football form with his country Poland. Although Poland was beaten by the Netherlands in the first match, Lewandowski looked good. Then, in the second game, he was the Polish striker whose play helped teammate Swiderski score the winner against Wales.
Frank Kessie played a pivotal role in Côte d’Ivoire’s two wins in the window. The 25-year-old midfielder scored against Togo in a 2-1 draw and then produced another victory over Guniea.
Spanish full-back Jordi Alba regained confidence by scoring his first goal of the season in a 2-1 loss to Switzerland. After the recent promotion of Balde and the arrival of Alonso, he has lost his place in the squad. This goal can give him the confidence that he so badly needs.
Downs from the international window
Barcelona young sensation Ronald Araujo has suffered an avulsion fracture of the adductor longus tendon in his right thigh. As a result, he will have to undergo surgery, which makes him hesitant about the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Araujo’s defensive partner Jules Kounde has suffered a hamstring injury that could sideline him for more than four weeks. Netherlands international Memphis Depay has also suffered a hamstring injury that prevents him from being available for a month.
Apart from them, Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong were also injured while playing for their national teams. Fortunately for Barça, his injuries are not as serious as those of the others.
Whats Next?
Barcelona will now have a grueling match in the month of October. They will face RCB Mallorca in their next LaLiga match.
