Valverde fulfilling his promise with a better-covered Lionel Messi

Barcelona are responding to the doubts which surrounded them at the beginning of the season, especially after the failure in the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid. How would the team respond without Neymar? Would they be able to keep winning after winning so much? Was there to be another twist? 

Without the lustre of other seasons, Barça have installed a positive dynamic and time is proving the coach, Ernesto Valverde, right. In his presentation, the softly spoken Valverde said one of his objectives was to find a way to make the team's play more "rounded" -- and as quickly as possible. The results have backed that statement. The Ant is achieving what he wanted: "to have control of the play to be in command on the pitch."  

Valverde, for now, is helping the Barça of the trident be forgot. Without Neymar, the metamorphosis so as not to weaken the team had to be executed with surgical precision. And Valverde's achieving it. It's true that the side has lost talent and improvision, magic, but it has gained in competitiveness and solidity. And the numbers show that: Barça have only conceded three goals and have kept clean sheets in nine of their last 12 games (nine in the Liga and three in the Champions League). 

NUMBER ONE 

Obviously, the best player in the world, Messi, is still the centre of the team. Its pillar. Valverde has given total freedom to the Argentine to use his talent where and when he wants. With the new coach on the bench, Leo is the same as always: he's sustained his numbers in terms of goals and assists. 

And the goals of Neymar and Luis Suarez (out of form at the start of the season) are being added by an effective and inspired second line as they wait for the return of Ousmane Dembele, injured at Getafe in September. Messi, more than ever, feels covered by his teammates, who protect him and allow him to score goals, create goals and open space which only he is capable of seeing and doing.  

And that's exactly how winning teams set up, those that are capable of reinventing themselves and winning after winning and winning. Maybe Valverde's Barça are not making people fall in love with their play yet, but the quality is there and it's only a matter of time. And the tangible reality -- results -- shows that the transition is moving in the right direction. And with determined and firm steps.