5 of the top contenders for the UEFA Champions League

#3 FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi has been the main man this season for FC Barcelona

La Liga

Played - 12 | Won - 11 | Draw - 1 | Lost - 0 | Goals For - 33 | Goals Against - 4

Champions League 2017/18

Played - 5 | Won - 3 | Draw - 2 | Lost - 0 | Goals For - 7 | Goals Against - 1

After a horrid summer transfer window and humiliating defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona was not expected to do well. However, Ernesto Valverde's men have taken it up as a challenge, and are absolutely cruising right now.

In the league, Barcelona has won all of their games barring a draw against Atletico Madrid. They are on top, 4 points ahead of Valencia and 10 points ahead of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Although the manner in which the victories have been coming is not what the fans would love to watch, the methods of Ernesto Valverde have undoubtedly been effective.

The desire to win seems to be back among the players, with the team grinding out wins, playing without flair and being direct instead.

Lionel Messi has been in outstanding form as usual, with him accounting for 40% of the goals. Luis Suarez has been below par, but he can be backed to deliver the goods in due course. All in all, a strong start from the team.

The most surprising aspect of Barca's game under Valverde has been how solid their defence has been.

They have conceded only 5 goals in all competitions, the least in Europe's top 5 leagues.

The defence had been the weak link for Barca in the last decade, hence this transformation is a welcome one. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has been in impeccable form with Samuel Umtiti and Gerald Pique solid as well.

Players denied by the woodwork most this season (Europe's top 5 leagues):Lionel Messi - 6Harry Kane - 5Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 4Edin Dzeko - 4Cristiano Ronaldo - 3 pic.twitter.com/mPaBtwdzIe

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 21, 2017

In the Champions League, Barca was extremely impressive against Juventus at the Camp Nou, running out 3-0 victors with a brace from Messi.

They have not been as impressive in the other matches with back-to-back 0-0 draws for the first time ever in the Champions League and a laboured victory away at Sporting Lisbon.

Barca seems to be struggling to win away in Europe, which is a concern to be addressed for Valverde. However, they have topped their group which may provide them respite from facing any major teams in the next round.

Barcelona has been defensively strong and has played to get the result, but they need to improve if they are to win the Champions League.

The goalscoring burden on Messi needs to shared by others, and the midfielders need to start creating more chances. Nevertheless, Barcelona looks to be one of the stronger candidates to win the trophy this time around.

Barcelona will be looking to bring back the trophy to the Nou Camp