 contentious late penalty saw Madrid escape with a 4-3 aggregate success, en route to a third straight title.

It is perhaps that Real run which has done the most damage in the eyes of many. Madrid’s success in Europe in recent seasons has hurt Barca, despite their domestic dominance. And for a lot of fans, it is too much to take.

This was supposed to be the year. Messi had said so in August. Yet there is no guarantee for any club in the Champions League. Juventus, PSG and Atletico Madrid were all obsessed with winning it this term, but the final will be played between Liverpool and Tottenham. That is knockout football.

The collapse at Anfield has sparked a fresh debate about style and it is a genuine question. With greater control in midfield, Barcelona may have survived against Liverpool.

But there are many layers here. Valverde’s tactics can certainly be scrutinised. In order to play the type of football so many demand, though, the right players are needed. Xavi is gone, Andres Iniesta too, while Sergio Busquets is past his peak.

In Pictures | Lionel Messi 40 show all In Pictures | Lionel Messi 1/40 Getty Images 2/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Maracana on June 15, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Getty Images 3/40 FIFA World player of the year winner Ronaldinho, the Gillette Best Young Player Award Leo Messi, and third place FIFA World player of the year Samuel Etoo pose with their trophies before La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Celta, at the Camp Nou stadium December 20, 2005 Getty Images 4/40 Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) vies with Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2019 AFP/Getty Images 5/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on as Catalan Pro-Independence flags are seen on the background during the La Liga match between Barcelona and SD Eibar at Camp Nou on September 19, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 6
contentious late penalty saw Madrid escape with a 4 - 3 aggregate achiever, en path to a third straight title. 

 It is possibly that Real rivulet which has done the most wrong in the center of many. Madrid ’s success in Europe in late season has hurt Barca, despite their domestic authority. And for a lot of fans, it is besides much to drive. 

 This was supposed to be the year. Messi had said so in August. Yet there is no guarantee for any baseball club in the Champions League. Juventus, PSG and Atletico Madrid were all obsessed with winning it this terminus, but the final will be played between Liverpool and Tottenham. That is knockout football. 

 The collapse at Anfield has trip a fresh debate about style and it is a genuine question. With great control in midfield, Barcelona may have survived against Liverpool. 

 But there are many layers here. Valverde ’s tactics can surely be size up. In order to play the type of football so many demand, though, the right players are needed. Xavi is gone, Andres Iniesta excessively, while Sergio Busquets is past his peak. 

 In Pictures | Lionel Messi 40 show all In Pictures | Lionel Messi 1/40 Getty Images 2/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina lionize after scoring his team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Argentina and Bosnia - Herzegovina at Maracana on June 15, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Getty Images 3/40 FIFA World player of the class winner Ronaldinho, the Gillette Best Young Player Award Leo Messi, and third plaza FIFA World player of the year Samuel Etoo put with their trophies before La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Celta, at the Camp Nou stadium December 20, 2005 Getty Images 4/40 Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) vies with Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2019 AFP / Getty Images 5/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on as Catalan Pro - Independence flag are seen on the background during the La Liga match between Barcelona and SD Eibar at Camp Nou on September 19, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 6
 cojtentious late penalty sxw Madrid escapg qith a 4-3 aggrsgate suzcess, en route to a third stcaigyt tiuje.

It is perhaps thxt Real rln which yas vone the most damage in bke eysd of nany. Madrid’s soccess in Eusope in recent sdadons has hurt Barca, despite their djmestic dlminance. And fjr a jot kf fans, it is too much to take.

This was sukposed to be the yrar. Messi had said so in Akgush. Yet there is no huarantee fir agt club in thd Champions League. Juvgntus, PSG and Atletico Madrid wefe alk obsessed wuth finning it vhis tvrm, but the flmal winl be pkayed between Kivxrpoil and Tottenham. That is knockout footbwll.

The conlcpse at Anfield has spaeked d frash awbage zbpuf stylf aid it is a fenuine quewtion. With greater vogntol in midfisld, Bawcqlona may have survived against Liverpoml.

Bht there are many layerw here. Valverde’s tactlcs can cqrtainly be scrutinised. In order to play the type of fkutbcol so najy demand, though, the right players are needed. Safi is gone, Andref Iniesta tpo, wnyle Sergio Burquets is past his peak.

In Plctures | Liobel Messi 40 shpw all In Pictures | Lionel Nessi 1/40 Getty Umages 2/40 Lionel Mesdi of Argencina cglebrayes after scoring his tzam's sscond goal furing ths 2014 FIFA World Cup Brszhl Group F match between Awgentina end Bpsnia-Hefzegpvina wt Maracanw on Mgne 15, 2014 in Rio de Jajeiro, Bsazil Gettj Images 3/40 FIFA World player of vie year winnet Rmnandinho, tke Gilkette Best Yotng Player Awatd Leo Mefsi, avd third pmace FIHA World plarer of the yedt Samuel Etoo pose wieh tyeir trophidr before La Liba match yttween FC Varcelona and Celte, at fhe Camp Nou stcbion December 20, 2005 Grtth Iiahex 4/40 Tarcelona's Asgenginksn fofward Lioneo Mesxi (C) vies with Real Kadrjd's Welsh forward Baveth Bale (L) and Rqal Madrid's Ctoatian midfielder Luka Movric dirigg the Spanish league football match behwecn Real Madriq CF and FC Barczlona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium ii Madrid on March 2, 2019 AFK/Getty Images 5/40 Lionel Kessi of FC Barcqlona loons on as Catalan Pro-Undependence flagx are seen on the bacigroung durlng the La Liga match between Barcelona and SD Eibar at Camp Nou on Septenber 19, 2017 in Barcelonz, Spsin Gvttv Ikages 6
contentious late penalty saw Madrid escape with aggregate en route a third straight Real which has done most damage in eyes of many. Madrid’s success in in recent seasons has hurt Barca, despite their domestic dominance. And for a of fans, it is too much to take. This was supposed to be year. had so August. Yet there is no guarantee for any club in the Champions League. Juventus, PSG and Madrid were all obsessed with winning it this but the final will played between Liverpool and Tottenham. is football. The at has a fresh debate style and it is a genuine question. With greater control in midfield, Barcelona may have survived against But there layers here. tactics certainly scrutinised. In order the type of football so many right players are needed. Xavi is gone, Andres too, while Busquets is past his peak. In | Lionel Messi 40 show all In Pictures Lionel Messi 1/40 Getty Images 2/40 Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's during the 2014 FIFA Cup Brazil Group match Argentina Bosnia-Herzegovina Maracana on 15, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Getty Images 3/40 FIFA player of the year winner Ronaldinho, the Gillette Best Young Leo and third place World player of the Samuel pose with their trophies Liga between Celta, the Nou stadium December 20, Getty Images 4/40 Barcelona's Argentinian Lionel Messi (C) vies Gareth Bale (L) and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Modric during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in on March AFP/Getty Images 5/40 Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona on as Catalan Pro-Independence are seen on the background during the La Liga between and SD at Camp Nou September 19, 2017 Barcelona, Spain Getty
 contentious late penalty saw madrid escaPe witH a 4-3 aGgrEgAte sUcceSs, en route to a thIRd stRaight title.

It is perhaps That REaL Run wHIcH has dOne the mOSt DAMagE iN tHe eYeS Of Many. MAdrId’s succEss in EuropE in ReCent seasons hAS hUrt Barca, deSpiTe their domesTic DominaNcE. AnD For a lOt oF fans, It is toO Much to Take.

This wAs SUpposeD To be the YEAr. messI had said so in AugusT. yeT There is no guaraNtee foR aNY cLUB in The champions LEaGue. JuVEntus, PSg AnD aTLetICo Madrid were aLl obsessed wITh wInning It ThiS Term, buT the fInAL wiLl be played bEtweEn LiverpoOl and TOTtenham. tHat is knOckout FooTbaLl.

ThE CoLlApsE aT anfIElD haS SpaRked a freSh DeBate aBout STYLE and It iS a geNuine Question. With gReaTer cONtrOl in mIdfieLd, BaRcElona May havE survIvEd against LiverpOol.

BUt there arE maNy LayErS here. vAlverdE’s tActIcs can cErtainlY Be sCrUTINiSed. In order to play thE tYPE oF footbalL so manY DeMaND, though, tHe RigHt plAYErs arE neeDEd. xavi is goNe, AndrES INiEsta too, WhIle SerGiO BuSquEts is PAst hIs peak.

in PicturEs | LioNEl Messi 40 show all iN Pictures | LionEL MESSi 1/40 gEtty imaGes 2/40 Lionel MeSsi oF argeNtinA CeLebRAtes aFter sCoRInG His team's second goal dUrIng the 2014 fIFA WOrld Cup Brazil group F matcH BETween ArgEntiNA aND Bosnia-HerzegoVina aT Maracana oN june 15, 2014 in RiO de JaNeiro, BraZil Getty IMAGes 3/40 FIFA WOrlD plAyeR of THE yEar winner RonaLDInho, ThE GilletTe BEst YounG PlAyeR AwArd leO Messi, and Third plaCe fIfA woRld PlayeR Of the yeaR SAmuEl etoO pose WIth theIr troPhieS bEfORe LA Liga maTCh BETweeN Fc BArceLonA aNd CelTa, at THe CAmp Nou sTadium DecEmbER 20, 2005 GetTy imAges 4/40 BarCelona's ArgentInIan forward liOneL Messi (c) VIes with REal Madrid's Welsh forward GAReth BalE (L) aNd ReaL MadRid's CroatIan MidfieLdeR luka MoDric duRing tHe spaNISh leaGUE fOotBaLl match betWEEn REal MaDrId CF And FC BaRcelona at the SantiaGO BeRnabeu stadium In MAdriD ON MArcH 2, 2019 aFp/getTy iMagES 5/40 lionel Messi of FC barcelona lOoKS oN as Catalan pRo-INdEpendenCe flags Are seEN on the bAckground During the la liga MATch Between BarCelona anD SD Eibar aT camp NOU oN SeptEmbEr 19, 2017 in BaRcEloNa, SpaIn GettY imaGes 6
 contentious late penaltysaw Madrid  esca pewit ha 4- 3 ag gregate succes s , en  route to a third stra ightti t le.It  is p erhapst ha t Rea lru n w hi c hhas d one  the mo st damageinth e eyes of ma n y.  Madrid’ssuc cess in Euro pein rec en t s e asons  ha s hur t Barc a , desp ite their  d o mestic dominan c e .Andfor a lot of fans ,  i t  is too much t o take .Th i s  wa s s upposed to  b e the year. M e ss i h ads aid so in Aug ust. Yet th e reis nogu ara n tee fo r any  c l ubin the Cham pion s League.  Juven t us, PSG and Atl eticoMad rid  wer e  a ll  ob se s sed wi thw inn ing it t hi sterm,  but t h e  fin alwill  be p layed between  Li verp o oland T otten ham.  T hat i s knoc koutfo otball.

The co llap se at Anf iel dhas  s parke d  a fre shdeb ate abo ut styl e  an di t is  a genuine questio n. W it h greate r cont r ol  i n  midfiel d,  Ba rcel o n a may  hav e  s urvivedagains t  L iv erpool. 
But th er e a remanyl ayer s here . Valver de’st actics can cer t ainly be scru t in i s ed .  Inord er to playthet ypeof f o ot bal l  so m any d em a nd ,  though, the rightpl ayersare n eeded. Xavi i s gone, An d r e s Iniest a to o ,w hile Sergio Bu squet s is pasth is peak. 

InPictures  | Lionel M essi 40sho w a llInP i ct ures | Lionel M essi  1 /40 Get tyImages2/4 0 L ion elMe ssi of Ar gentinace le br at esafter scoringhi s t ea m's  seco n d goal  duri ng t he  2 0 14FIFA Wo r ld C up B ra zi l Gr oup  F  matc h be t wee n Argen tina andBos n ia-H er ze govinaat Maracana o nJune 15, 2 01 4 i n Riod e  Janeiro , Brazil Getty Images 3 / 40 FIFA  Wo rld p laye r of theyea r winn erR onaldi nho, t he Gi ll ett e BestY o un g P la yer AwardL e o M essi,  a nd t hird pl ace FIFA World pla y erof the year S amu el E t o opos e  w i thth e irt r ophies before L a Liga mat ch be tween FC B a rce lo na andCelta,at th e  Camp N ou stadiu m Decembe r20,2 0 05Getty Imag es 4/40Barcelona ' s Arg e nt inian  fo rwardLi one l Mes si (C) vie s wit h Real  M adrid' s Wel sh  forward  Gareth Bale (L) and Re al Mad rid's  Cr oatian mi dfi e lde r Luka Mo dric  during th e S pan ish l eag u e foo tbal l  m atc h  betw eenR eal Madri d  C F a n d  F C Barcelona a t  th e San tia g o Bern abeu  stadium in Madri d  on March 2, 2 019A F P/G ett y  Ima ge s 5/40 LionelMes si o f FC Bar ce lona lookson as Ca ta l an Pr o-Inde penden ce flag s ar e  seenon t hebackgroun d d ur i ng theLa  L i ga mat ch b et ween B arcelo n a an d SD Eibar at Camp  Nouo n  Sept e mbe r 19,  2 017 inB arce lona, Spai n Getty Ima ges 6
 contentious_late penalty_saw Madrid escape with_a 4-3_aggregate_success, en_route_to a third_straight title.

It is_perhaps that Real run_which has done_the_most damage in the eyes of many. Madrid’s success in Europe in recent seasons_has_hurt Barca,_despite_their_domestic dominance. And for a_lot of fans, it is_too much_to take.

This was supposed to be the year._Messi_had said so_in August. Yet there is no guarantee for any_club in the Champions League. Juventus,_PSG and Atletico_Madrid_were_all obsessed with winning_it this term, but the final_will be played between Liverpool and_Tottenham. That is knockout football.

The collapse at_Anfield has sparked a fresh debate_about style and it is_a genuine_question. With greater control in_midfield, Barcelona may_have survived_against Liverpool.

But there_are many layers here. Valverde’s tactics_can certainly be_scrutinised. In order to play the_type_of football so_many_demand,_though, the_right players are_needed._Xavi is_gone,_Andres Iniesta too, while Sergio Busquets_is_past his peak.

In Pictures | Lionel Messi_40 show all In_Pictures_| Lionel Messi 1/40_Getty Images 2/40 Lionel Messi_of Argentina celebrates after scoring his_team's second_goal during_the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Argentina_and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Maracana on June_15, 2014 in Rio_de Janeiro,_Brazil_Getty Images 3/40_FIFA_World player_of the year winner Ronaldinho, the Gillette_Best Young_Player Award Leo Messi, and third_place FIFA World player_of_the year Samuel Etoo pose with_their trophies before La Liga match_between FC Barcelona and Celta,_at_the_Camp Nou stadium December 20,_2005 Getty Images 4/40 Barcelona's Argentinian_forward Lionel Messi_(C) vies with Real Madrid's Welsh forward_Gareth_Bale (L) and Real Madrid's Croatian_midfielder_Luka Modric during the Spanish league_football_match_between Real Madrid CF and_FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu_stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2019 AFP/Getty Images_5/40 Lionel Messi_of FC Barcelona looks on_as_Catalan_Pro-Independence flags are seen on the background during the La_Liga match_between Barcelona and_SD Eibar at Camp Nou on September 19, 2017 in_Barcelona, Spain Getty Images 6