Barcelona vs. Juventus Analysis, Recap: Three MVPs for 2014-15 Season Not Named Lionel Messi
We all know who the MVP of Barcelona’s historic 2014-15 season was: Lionel Messi.
The Argentinian had a career year, scoring 58 goals and 28 assists while winning the treble with Barcelona. What made him so fantastic this season was not only his sensation numbers but his becoming a more well-rounded player, tracking back to start the buildup and creating space for his teammate.
However, soccer is a team sport, and despite Messi’s importance to the club, there are also other major players in the team’s fortunes. Who are the other team’s major MVP’s?
Luis Suarez
Neymar was second on the team in scoring with 40 goals, matching a feat that Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o never completed. He scored in both finals and is only 23-years-old.
However, Suarez deserves the honor here. Not only did he scored in the biggest game of his career, he scored the game winner.
Moreover, Suarez was one of the catalysts for Barcelona’s big turnaround.
Before his arrival, the team was decent though hardly a dominant offensive force. After he arrived, he helped lead the team to boasting the most dangerous offensive line of all time.
His numbers underlie his importance. He did not score 40 or 50 goals like his teammates, but he scored 25 goals and 17 assists in just 37 games. He was second on the team in key passes per game, despite being a central striker and ranking 19th on the team in passes per game.
Once Suarez clicked into gear, Barcelona looked like a weapon that no other team could defend against.
Gerard Pique
At the start of the year, the Spaniard was not even in the regular XI. His future was marred with instability, and many wondered whether he would ever regain the form of yesteryear.
Not only did Pique regain that form; he topped in arguably the best season of his career.
Pique averaged less than one foul per game, despite averaging over two tackles per match. He dominated the team in clearances per game with 4.4.
A year ago he was averaging more clearances but he was also tackling less and committing more fouls per game.
Moreover, Pique unlatched an offensive part of his game many expected but had yet to see. He scored six goals on the year and helped a presence in the air that had often been lacking for Barcelona. A banner year for Pique.
Ivan Rakitic
Tiki-taka was dead a few years ago. Cesc Fabregas never turned into the heir of Xavi, and the legend himself was not quite the same at age 35.
When Barcelona brought in the Croatian, they knew it was to help move the attack in a more direct manner while still being able to retain possession as it always did.
The plan worked out beautifully with Rakitic becoming a prominent attacker in the midfield, scoring five goals and seven assists while becoming one of the key pass leaders on the team. He was one of the reasons Barcelona became lethal on the counter, providing the team with accurate long balls and being a strong all-around player.