Barça's sad (but deserved) goodbye to La Liga

Director de Información Deportiva de Prensa Ibérica

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21/05/2017 Upd. on 22/05/2017 at 03:03 CEST

The hope (the little that there was) lasted a minute and a half. That was the time Cristiano Ronaldo needed to put Real Madrid 1-0 up at La Rosaleda and kill of Barça's dreams. The Portuguese forward has been the most in form at the end of the current season. The toughest of all is that Barça's failings are inversely proportional to Real Madrid's potential double (La Liga and the Champions League), which would make for a tough summer for Cules this summer.

We can speak about referees that have cost Barça. We can speak about referees that have benefitted Madrid. We can speak about the fortune Los Blancos have had in some games... But the reality is the reality. Zinedine Zidane's side have been better than Luis Enrique's and have deserved to win La Liga. Madrid have been more consistent, they've made fewer errors at crucial moments and they've been good in front of goal, with Ronaldo at his best at the perfect moment.

A SEASON OF ILLUISONS

Barça's season has been one of illusions. Like the 2-3 win at the Bernabeu. Or the magic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain. But they have ended up losing La Liga because of shock defeats against Alaves, Deportivo and Malaga -- without speaking about the KO to Juventus in Europe after a 3-0 loss in Turin. The illusions have provided sweet moments but they haven't avoided the inevitbale: a failed campaign which obliges an authentic revolution in the dressing room. Starting on the bench.

Luis Enrique is off and Ernesto Valverde is prepared to take over. The Asturian coach has got gradually worse in each season as Barça manager, from a treble to a double and now, possibly, just a Copa del Rey -- a minor title which won't ease the pain among Barcelonismo.

STAR SIGNINGS

Valverde could be a breath of fresh air for the squad. But three signings are needed who can go straight into the side, one in each position. Enough of signing players who add nothing. Barça need a right-back, a midfielder and a wide forward who can improve the level of a side who have been a long way behind Europe's best this season. One Champions League in six years is not enough. Above all when you have Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez...