Reflection : The Difficult 2021/22 Season Finally Ends

It was Barcelona’s fourth and final goal of the night that completely quieted the Bernabeu crowd. With that goal, victory was securely nailed down. The scoreline was a surprising 4-0. This was yet another vintage display from Barcelona against arch-rivals Real Madrid. For many Barça supporters far and near, the 4-0 humiliation of Real Madrid at their own backyard remains one of the high points of the 2021/22 season.

There was also that impressive run in the Europa League which unfortunately ended in anticlimax. And despite Xavi’s best efforts to mend a broken team, despite Barça finishing second in La Liga, there’s no denying this has been a difficult season. 

Time To Move Forward

We could talk at length about the untimely injuries to key players. Moreover, we could talk of Koeman’s Barça which time after time collapsed under the slightest assault at the season’s initial stages. We could talk as well of key players that were initially underperforming. Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba came in for serious criticism. In short, and in simpler terms, Barça’s trophyless season could be attributed to so many things.

It would be rather unwise to suggest Xavi could have done more with this team and all its imperfections. Maybe the Europa League was within the club’s reach and not so much of a long shot. And yet it proved to be a cumbersome task. Knock-out football as we all know has always been a tricky affair where the better teams don’t always win. But the time to give excuses and apportion blame is not now. What really should be of paramount importance is a conscious effort to carefully reflect on the season. Which players need to depart. Which signings need to be made. What major areas need to be examined. What new goals need to be set. 

Bottom Line

Barcelona supporters all over the world would cherish nothing more than to turn the page on this season as soon as possible. A trophyless season should not be the end of the world. Better days will surely come. The Camp Nou will certainly experience joy and happiness once again. And in all probability, trophies will be won and celebrated before long. But for now, we will need all the forbearance we can muster to cope in these trying times.

Bright Antwi