FC Barcelona: Now for La Liga No 26
The reigning champions have reinforced with four signings and are favourites to take the title again
On Friday La Liga 2018-19 kicked off and Barcelona make their debut on Saturday night against Deportivo Alaves. For Ernesto Valverde's side winning the league is a priority - but then so is winning everything - the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup (now in the club museum).
The coach said the gunfire starts again now, and he is waiting for help from the fans as Barca kick off their new season. The objective is retaining the title after an excellent season in which they scored 93 points (28W, 9D, 1D, 99 scored and 29 against).
Those numbers brought Barcelona their 25th title, but that is history now and with four new faces - Arthur, Lenglet, Malcom, Arturo Vidal - they are going for the 26th, cutting the distance on Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have 33 titles, eight more than Barcelona. The numbers have moved closer in the past 20-30 years, with Johan Cruyff arriving at Camp Nou and Barcelona winning 15 leagues to Madrid's 8 since then. In the 21st century Barcelona are 9-6 up.
BUILDING UP STEAM
Barcelona arrive at the Alaves game with good sensations. They drew 2-2 with Tottenham, lost 4-2 against Roma, and 1-0 against Milan, with bad results but good performances on the US tour.
Then they beat Sevilla to win the Spanish Super Cup in Tangier, and then Boca Juniors 3-0 at the Gamper. On Saturday against Alaves - the last team to take three ponts at Camp Nou, on September 10, 2016, Valverde's side must take another step forward. Particularly on finishing chances, one of the weaknesses in pre-season.
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