The 10 reasons for Barcelona's sad end to the 2018-19 season

Barcelona's Copa del Rey final loss to Valencia brought a sad end to the 2018-19 season in which they won the league and dreamed of a treble for so long. 

Winning the league left Barça to focus on the Champions League and the cup. But they collapsed at Liverpool and were beaten by Valencia. 

Now it's time for a period of reflection. There are some big decisions to be made which could have big meaning for the squad. Here are the 10 reasons for the sad end to the campaign: 

1. MESSIDEPENDENCIA

Depending on Leo is not a problem in itself, but a blessing given what he's done for over a decade. He decided more than 90 percent of games. It is a problem when the rest of the squad can't help him in the other 10 percent of matches. Leo was a great player at Anfield and the Villamarin but he didn't become D10S like at other times and Barça were beaten. The genius from Rosario, however, has been at his usual leve this season, winning a sixth European Golden Shoe. 

2. COUTINHO/DEMBELE: NEITHER REPLACING NEYMAR

Dembele was injured and Coutinho disappeared in combat in the Copa final. Nothing new there. After selling Neymar for 222 million euros, BAarça spent 225 on those two, plus another 80 in potential add ons. Their talent is undeniable but, for different reasonsm neither has yet covered the loss of Neymar on the left. 

3. AGING SPINE

Barça's gala XI has hardly changed since they won the treble in 2014-15. Ter Stegen, Piqué, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Messi and Suárez are still in the team. Other changes haven't been wanted, such as Neymar,. Four years and 100s of miles in the legs at the top level. Time takes its toll on the best and all these players, save Ter Stegen, are now in their 30s. 

4. DEPTH

Aside from the lack of integration from stars such as Dembele and Coutinho, the rest of the new signings have not lived up to the billing with the exception of Lenglet and Vidal. The coaches are in part to blame for not giving Malcom more game time, but the signings of Murillo and Boatenge seem stranger al the time. Valverde has only trusted 14 players, though, in truth. 

5. GOALS

Without Messi (51 goals) and Luis Suarez (25), Barca have struggled for goals. Dembele had 14 but the majority came earlier in the season and Coutinho has 11. The next best is Pique, a defender, with seven. Rakitic is fourth with five. Barça need more goals from elsewhere. 

6. FULL-BACKS

Barça must reflect on two very important positions for the team's style of play. Jordi Alba's had a good season but has no back up at left-back. On the right, Semedo and Sergi Roberto compete for a place, although neither has been capable to tie the position down. 

7. ARTHUR OR ARTURO

When things were on track the debate disappeared: it was accepted that Valverde would pick Arthur or Arturo Vidal depending on the rival and how he wanted to play. Vidal's good form and Arthur's fitness issues changed the trend in recent months. 

8. BUSQUETS & RAKITIC'S MILES 

Sergio and Ivan have been fundamental to the team and even more so since the departures of Xavi and Initesta. They are both in their 30s now. The coaches want them to play all the time and build play, but there have been too many minutes and too many demands. Frenkie de Jong's been signed to help them function.

9. VALVERDE, BEATEN IN KEY GAMES

In the offices (Bartomeu) and the dressing room (Messi) they defend Valverde, who has won two leagues, one cup and one Super Cup at Barcelona. The squad forgive him for the two defeats at the end of this season and blame themselves. But what is true is that he was outcoached at Anfield by Jurgen Klopp and again in the cup final by Marcelino. He got things wrong and his team paid thhe price. 

10. STYLE 

The results have brought the debate about the team's style of play back to the table. It's how Barça lost as much as the fact they did lose. They were unrecognisable at Anfield. They didn't compete, either. In Seville, they picked up in the second half but lacked their usual style.