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

#1 How will the frontline work?

Who plays alongside Messi in the new season?

Messi, Luis Suarez and Griezmann (MSG) sounds like a partnership made in football heaven. Unfortunately, this would have been true 4 years ago.

How these three will combine (not forgetting Coutinho and Dembele) will be Valverde's biggest obstacle for the new season.

As the second striker in Diego Simeone's favored 4-2-2-2 system, Griezmann occupied the same role as Messi does for Barcelona, the fantasista (one who plays with fantasy or imagination on the pitch) who is unshackled and causes havoc for opponents anywhere he can.

No team in the world can survive with having two such players on the pitch at the same time as it would mean extra work for the teammates behind them. Griezmann hasn't played as a winger for a very long time and no longer has the skill set of a traditional winger.

This presents a fascinating situation; how to get all three players in the team without sacrificing defensive solidity. Popular opinion posits that Messi will continue in his free role with the Frenchman just behind Suarez.

How this will play out is up for discussion as the trio are yet to line up at the same time in pre-season. One thing is for sure, the decision will go a long way in determining how well the team performs in the new season.