Barca fire warning with a thumping win: They want the title back!

MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 13: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF holds up the La Liga trophy as he celebrates winning the La Liga title with team-mates after the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Mallorca at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 13, 2012 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Last season proved a real heartbreak for the FC Barcelona fans as they lost their Uefa Champions League title to Chelsea and more painfully, the league title to bitter rivals Real Madrid in disappointing fashion. The 2-1 loss at Camp Nou was actually their first league defeat to Real Madrid in over 3 seasons. Finishing 9 points behind their rivals and trailing them for most parts of the season was not well recived by the fans who had seen their team mesmerise opponents en route to winning three straight Liga titles.

Hence the new 2012/13 season is bound to be interesting.

Barcelona were bruised and battered last season when their supremacy was threatened and with Pep Guardiola departing, some people have written off their chances. But anyone who watched them in action against Real Sociedad will certify this fact that only the manager has changed and nothing else. Watching Barca crush their opponents through some silky passing moves was a great sight but the match was intended to be a warning to Madrid that their title defence is going to be as hard as they can dream of.

Last season’s failure to win the Liga and the Champions League was seen as a disappointment but it is only because of the high standards Barca have set for themselves. David Villa coming off the bench to score the 5th goal would have provided relief to all the Camp Nou faithful and he will certainly be like a new signing. Messi has already resumed his old service of scoring goals, while seeing Pedro put in a decent performance was refreshing. Jordi Alba looks very much at home while new signing Alex Song should fit in as well. On the whole, Barca has covered the chinks in their armour and look very well set to dominate proceedings again.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF shake hands prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on April 21, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. Real Madrid CF won 1-2. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

With Real Madrid held on the first matchday itself, Barca are 2 points ahead already and they will surely hope to make sure that they lead the way throughout the season. Once again the season’s outcome will possibly depend on an el classico and on the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but the writing on the wall is clear: Barca are coming back for redemption and the fact might very soon be proven with mouthwatering Classico fixtures coming up in the next weeks for the Super Copa. Barcelona rested some key players with their eye on the Classico, showing that they are serious about winning all the trophies they play for.

The battle will be intriguing and fascinating and I will certainly look forward to follow the action. Who knows, Vilanova might replicate Guardiola in his first season in charge. Fascinating prospect,eh?