Liberated Messi and Piqué, who have returned to be of the little redeemable of Barça in LaLiga, the Champions threatens to become a summary judgment for three sacred cows of Barça, Alba, Busquets and Suárez, for different reasons.
Alba's case is the most relevant. Untouchable at Barça since his arrival in the 2012-13 season, he already finished very touched the previous year after being one of the players marked by Anfield's black night and being in evidence against Carlos Soler in the Cup final. sector of the board reproached Josep Maria Bartomeu for succumbing to Alba's demands to renew him until 2024, although some of those are the ones who took the lead when it was speculated with a possible march from the side to the Premier. Alba has had a difficult year, with multiplication of muscle injuries. The final stretch of the season, however, has been good. Alba had given a single goal assist in LaLiga until confinement and yet scored a goal and gave five assists after the competition restarted. But he knows that he plays it in the Champions League, a competition in which the physical level rises and he suffers as he has been demonstrating time. He's under surveillance.
Busquets has increased his performance with Setién, but the debate with the midfielder has been on the table since Valverde left him on the bench on the first day of the League, a way to remove the indisputable poster, which could have its consequences later for the Txingurri. Busquets has also been very touched by the abuses of Rome and Liverpool. Faced with those who defend his unique wisdom to read the games, there are critics who believe that the intensity of the games is already over the top and that it is time for De Jong to take over in that position. Like Alba, Busquets has a long contract, until 2023. But his case is even more complicated than Alba's. Barça owes much to Busquets, a member of the most glorious generation in the club's history. In addition, the midfielder resists against time. With Setién his performance has improved and he is more involved in the general operation of the group.
And then there is Suarez, who is chased by that legend of goals away from home in the Champions League. A somewhat unfair label, because Suarez was the architect of the goal against United in Manchester and also marked virtually this course in Prague. Although his last European goal outside the Camp Nou was in 2015, it should not be the main reason to question a player who, in addition, has been the best of Barça away from home with decisive goals in Leganés, Getafe, Cornellà, Anoeta , Vigo …. The performance of the third top scorer in the history of the club can not be in doubt, but his career. Suarez has serious problems with his right knee and his movements will have to be monitored if Barça advance rounds in Europe because the Uruguayan suffers if he is forced to high-level efforts in a short period of time. For some time, a sector of criticism has been chasing after Suárez. As for Alba or Busquets. The three will be under the magnifying glass this Champions.