Barcelona - The Catalan Giants
When most people think of Catalonia, they think of war and a fight for independence. But when I think Catalonia, I think Barcelona and football, the beautiful game. Over the last couple of years, Barcelona has become one of the major powers of world football using a new style they call tiki-taka. They pass, pass, pass until the opposition tire, and then expose them with their ruthless firepower. This new way of playing has led many to believe that they are the best and most decorated team ever. And with the likes of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta in their side and the Youth system they employ at the club, it’s hard to think of any club in the world that is better set up.
Founded in 1899, by Swiss man Jaon Gampert, Barcelona has become a symbol of Catalan culture. The motto "Més que un club" (“more than a club”), indicates just how strongly they feel about their football. However, it wasn’t always so easy for them. In the 1930s and 1940s, when war raged throughout Catalonia, they faced possibility of going out of business.
In fact, it is a little-known fact that the Football Club that we know, and many people love, would not exist if it were not for the actions of controversial Irish man Patrick O'Connell back in the mid-1930s. The club was fighting for its very existence due to fascist aggression during the Spanish Civil War. Because the Catalan club was so closely associated with Republican causes, Barcelona came under enormous pressure and almost folded. Barcelona went on a tour of the US and Mexico. O'Connell, who was the manager of Barcelona at the time, led this American odyssey netting $15,000 for the club in the process. This money was later used to revive the fortunes of the great football club. Barcelona's hall of fame at the Nou Camp contains a statue of Patrick O'Connell in commemoration of his role in helping the club to make it through the Spanish Civil War.
From then on, things began to pick up for Barcelona. The team won a national double in 1959 and a La Liga and Inter-Cities Fairs Cup double in 1960. In 1961 they became the first club to beat Real Madrid in European Cup competition, but lost 3–2 to Benfica in the final. The 1960s were less successful, but the 1970s saw the arrival of Johan Cruyff. He helped the club win the La Liga title in 1973–74 for the first time since 1960 and won European Footballer of the Year that season. The 70s and 80s saw them win their first ever European Cup and develop into a big European team. Johan Cruyff returned to the club as manager and he assembled the so-called Dream Team. Under his guidance, Barcelona won four consecutive La Liga titles from 1991 to 1994. Fortune changed in his final two seasons, when he failed to win any titles, resulting in his departure. By the time the 90s and 00s came along, Barca were beginning to play an attractive brand of football that caught the eye. Under Frank Rijkaard, they won their second European cup and blooded they likes of Messi and Xavi. But it was under Pep Guardiola that brought about their most fruitful period. Altogether, they won 13 trophies in 4 years whilst he was in charge. They were playing the kind of football that was very hard to defend against.
Barcelona is now managed by Spaniard Tito Vilanova. He took the reins from Guardiola at the end of last season. Although they changed manager, the football philosophy remains the same. Any football enthusiast, no matter where you come from, cannot but admire and be in awe of the style and quality of football played by those Catalan boys in red and blue.
By Oisin McCann