La Liga: 5 Things to watch out for concerning Barcelona in the new season

#3 Valverde and his expected change of tactics

Valverde will need to change things around in the coming season

The fact that Valverde is still the coach at Barcelona is a small miracle. The clamor for his removal which has been building reached a crescendo after the UCL semifinal exit at Anfield.

Probably due to a lack of credible replacements, Bartomeu made the decision to continue with the former Athletic Bilbao manager.

The 55-year-old is well aware of how the fans feel about his continued presence and will be eager to make amends in both La Liga and the UCL. A change of tactics is needed. His team set-up for the big games in the league; El Clasico, against Atletico Madrid, Valencia and others have generally been good.

It is the cup matches especially in Europe that the team has struggled against opponents who play with a high-intensity. The safety-first approach is one that has earned the ire of Culés, Valverde will need to tweak this while maintaining the defensive solidity the team has achieved since he became manager.

With a plethora of options across the board, he knows he has the resources to make these changes and get the fans back on his side. How this unfolds will make for compelling viewing.