The dawn of a new full-back era at Barcelona with Alba

For a team to be as successful as Barcelona has been for the past four years, it is crucial that every player who is out there on the pitch is aware of his duties. But what is more important is that every player has the ability to execute those game plans perfectly. In this regard, it can be argued that one of the most difficult jobs in a team is that of a full-back, not least because they are expected to provide a potent attacking threat with their marauding runs down the wing and also defend their flank against wingers, who are often the most trickiest players in the world of football.

Barcelona perhaps had the perfect pair of full-backs during their period of world dominance in the form of the adventurous Dani Alves and the solid Eric Abidal. Although Abidal is thought of as being a wee bit more defensive-minded than his partner, the fact of the matter is that he always offered good support to the attack when required but, since the other side of the pitch was literally ploughed down by Alves with his lung-bursting runs, Abidal often faded into the background whenever the complex mechanisms of Barcelona came to the fore of the discussion table.

Barcelona’s season of 2012-2013 began with a signing, which was termed unanimously around the world, as ‘the best signing in recent history’ – Jordi Alba; although David Villa didn’t turn out so bad. The speedster, who is a product of La Masia, has been nothing short of a revelation at Barca. His lightning-quick pace adds an extra dimension to the attack, and the same pace allows him to cover his ground whenever he is found out of position. Although Abidal is working slowly towards a truly inspiring comeback, it will most likely be a last stand in the twilight of his career and should not pose a serious threat to Alba.

While Abidal has been away due to a tumour and a subsequent liver transplant operation, Alves has seen his opportunities being limited due to a number of reasons. On one hand, there is his loss of form this season. It has been evident for some time now that his attacking threat has diminished. He has been in and out of the team due to injuries, and Martin Montoya and Adriano spotted this opportunity to swoop right in to prove their worth to the team. Montoya is definitely a bright young star who is improving every day as a player, and Adriano has shown that his tag of being ‘a jack of all trades’ includes him popping up to score a goal or two.

Of course, it is too early to assume this is the start of the end for Alves, given his experience and undeniable talent. But looking at the present scenario, it is fair to state that the attacking onus in the full-back department is shifting to the left-side of the pitch, with Jordi Alba developing an almost telepathic understanding with players like Iniesta and Villa. Montoya is also a promising player who, in the limited number of opportunities offered to him, has looked to be defensively solid and also provide quality support to the attack. And finally, Adriano is taking his slice of pie in whatever form it is being offered to him – be it a right-back, a centre-back or a left-back.

Dani Alves and Eric Abidal have been vital cogs in the Barcelona machine for the past few years, and they might still have a lot to offer to the team. They will always be loved and respected by Barca fans across the globe for their contributions. But Barcelona have discovered a set of exciting talents to challenge them, and it looks like they will snatch the baton if it is not passed to them soon.