How quickly Barça have forgotten Neymar...

How quickly Barça have forgotten Neymar...

Xavier Ortuño

Subdirector de SPORT

Messi, arropado por Iniesta y Digne durante el último partido del FC Barcelona contra el Málaga CF en el Camp Nou (2-0)
Messi, arropado por Iniesta y Digne durante el último partido del FC Barcelona contra el Málaga CF en el Camp Nou (2-0) | sport

When Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said at the Supporters' Club Congress before the Joan Gamper that this year the talk would be about the team and not the trident, no one thought it would be so soon that the Brazilian would be forgotten for the collective. 

After Neymar's departure for Paris Saint-Germain clouded Barça's preseason, Super Cup included, the Blaugrana have started their La Liga and Champions League campaigns with spectacular numbers. 

Credit is due for Ernesto Valverde, his management of the dressing room and the lineups he has picked, keeping everyone plugged in, with some exceptions such Arda Turan, Vermaelen and Vidal. There's also credit due for the players, who have taken a step forward and taken on responsibility in the absence of the trident's shadow. 

To see Barcelona play through the midfield again, with a distinct style is comforting. And if this style of play allows them to lead the table, as well as have fantastic numbers, then something has gone right this season. 

They have known how to construct a new environment for Lionel Messi, which allows them to perform not just in attack, but also in midfield and in defender. There is a team.