Barça and their idea of planning...

It's difficult to speak about football when hardly three days have past since the terrible terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils. The sadness remains, but also the bravery to continue with our day to day lives without fear. And that return to normality coincides with the first game of the La Liga season at Camp Nou, where pessimism grips Barça supporters after they were easily beaten by Real Madrid in the Super Cup. Ernesto Valverde and his players must react quickly and correct the mistakes which were on show at the Bernabeu to try to breath excitement into a season which sees the eternal rival start with the advantage. Not just because of their form and superiority over two legs, but also because of the confidence of their recent success and having successfully rejuvenated their squad. 

Barça, meanwhile, are working against the clock to make signings to improve a squad which shows clear errors in planning. First, the obsession with signing Marco Verratti when it seemed quite clear PSG would now sell; then Neymar's exit and the 'surprise' among the board at the Brazilian's decision; and, now, making unsuccessful and extremely high offers for Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. What road map have the been following in their planning when La Liga starts today and they've still been unable to sign a player of the highest level? Moaning about the difficulties in the current market sounds like an excuse. Valverde was clear on Saturday when he asked for "a squad which corresponds with the demands made." The Super Cup served not only to show a change of cycle, but also the lack of planning at Barcelona in terms of managing generational changes. Let's hope that against Betis they improve on the image shown in Madrid. It won't be hard.