BARCELONA FAR FROM VINTAGE SELF

The Catalans looked set for a 2-1win over Sevilla only for a late Kevin Grameiro goal to throw a spanner in the works for Barcelona.

Deflation prevailed following the final whistle at Sanchez Pizjuan stadium and from the looks on the Barcelona players faces,it was evident that their implosion had cost them dear.It was't a defeat, yet it felt like one in impact and magnitide,all Barca players rueful of the chances that they lost.Barcelona had started in lively style and it was Lionel Messi (who else?)who put Barca infront with a trademark curl from the right.It was domination from then on and Neymar stamped Barca's authority in the game with a peach of a free kick that sailed over the Sevilla defensive wall for the second.Sudddenly it looked like Barcelona would upset all odds and become the first team to beat Sevilla on their own backyard this season.They ought to have,they were supposed to and with a 2-0 lead in the opening half hour,they were destined to.Yet once more they showed that vulnerability that has become all too common this season as they allowed the hosts back into the game.Bravo would have only himself to blame as he allowed Banega's 30 yarder to fly through his fingers and half the deficit before a Pique error allowed sub Gameiro to make good his calling with a well taken goal to restore parity.At that,it was difficult to imagine that once upon a time,when Barca took the lead,the game was as good as done.Now,not anymore.As with all good things,that peak had its time,served its purpose and had retired to a holiday home with a pension,leaving behind a bland taste of normalcy.Yet it still didn't feel right.It shouldn't.

Following the end of the golden era-2009 to2012-under Pep Guardiola(now at Bayern Munich) Barcelona have found it hard to to equal,let alone better the heights of their best ever period.It was bound as  all glitters fade with time,but it is appalling as to how abysmally ordinary Barcelona have become.Wherever there was brilliance now there's only good.Where there was exceptional now rests  usual.Even Messi seems to have been dethroned as the best and looks contended to nip at the gate of the palace he once occupied.Plainly put,this is the most ordinary Barcelona team of recent times,one that couldn't even put its foot down against Sevilla.It was poor to blow up a lead like that and expect to be labelled worthy champions.For a team looking to win a first trophy in over a year,that was a shoddy display.

While it would be ridiculous to expect a match of Guardiola-era outrageousness,the manner in which Barcelona now labour in matches hardly elicit much positivity.Awe has turned to meh.There shows glimpses of the class of the old,but hardly consistent enough to satisfy the thirst for the usual unusual Barecelona trademark.Where there was crisp passing now there is just passing.Enrique is doing a good job of varyiny Barcelona's style of play but does it have to come at the expence of class and brilliance?Barcelona blow up when it matters most.They did it at Sociedad on january 5th.Then they were at it against Malaga a few weeks later.It could have happened at the clasico but Suarez spared them the blushes.It happened against Sevilla.Barcelona had a chance to stamp authority,they didnt.Folllowing the draw,nowhere were the celebrations louder than at the Santiago Bernabeu where Real Madrid faithfuls roared at the virtual shot at glory following the oops! moment of their great rivals.This blip could turn out to be a full blown gaffe come season's end and it would be a case of a strangely familiar déjá vu,where it was so close yet still as far as Madrid.The air of invincibility has deserted Barcelona,leaving them vulnerable to frequent falls.While far from mediocre,they are still way off their best ,a sign that much task lay in  wait for Luis Enrique and his charges.

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