Early crisis
FC Barcelona, under the managerial leadership of newly appointed coach Ernesto Valverde started their 2017-18 campaign with the Spanish Super Cup clash against Real Madrid, a fixture split into two legs. Having lost the previous league season, the encounter was an opportunity for the Catalan club to wipe the triumphant smirk off their rivals' faces. The Galacticos, however, had different plans as they defeated Barcelona in both legs by a margin of 5-1 on aggregate, instigating an outburst of the infamous "end of an era" remarks directed towards a beaten FC Barcelona, who had lost Neymar Jr to a cash-rich offer from Paris Saint-Germain.
Rising through the ranks
As the liga got underway, FC Barcelona began to look up. With each passing fixture, came convincing victories. While lionel Messi gathered momentum up front, Marc-Andre ter Stegen perfected in the art of goalkeeping. As Valverde balanced the club's attacking prowess with his more pragmatic methods, the midfield in the 4-4-2 formation played a key role. Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic in particular contributed to the team's productive ball retention with their technical gifts, while newly signed Paulinho initially introduced an element of physicality in the area. Gerard Pique spent the season at his elegant best with Samuel Umtiti to keep him company.
Faltering competitors
As competition from Madrid (against both Real and Atletico) began to falter, Barcelona remained focused on the way forward and consolidated their position at the top by maintaining their winning form. By the time the first Clasico came, the gap between Barcelona and defending champions Real Madrid was already gaping across an emphatic 11 points. Barcelona's 3-0 win at the Bernabeu ensured that the number reached 14.
Crossing the final hurdle
Moving through mid-season, second placed Atletico Madrid cut down the gap between Barcelona and themselves to five points. Ahead of their second encounter in the league (the first match in Madrid had ended 1-1), Atletico were determined to further reduce the difference to two points with a win at Camp Nou. Barcelona had looked slightly worn out in a 1-1 draw against las Palmas away in the Canary Islands, while Simeone's men rode high on Antoine Greizmann's form. However, a lionel Messi free-kick dashed Atletico's hopes and allowed Barcelona to remain undisputed league leaders.
Mission accomplished
In the weeks that have followed, Barcelona have dragged along despite shortcomings that have included tired feet, a shallow bench-strength and difficulties in the back whenever the opposition has decided to press high. Brilliance has come across the season, but only in glimpses. It has been more of a workman like effort rather than their trademark beautiful football that has made Barcelona the record-holders of the longest unbeaten run in la liga (41 and counting). However, Valverde is a man who knows what he is doing. Winning the league with four games still left to be played speaks volumes of the efficiency of his methods. But he will still need someone to step into the boots of the departing Andres Iniesta and reinforce the bench with players who can pose potential damage to rivals when lionel Messi feels like taking a day off.