Weird and wonderful things are happening at Barcelona this season. Their games have brought more goals than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues. They have trapped more opponents offside than any club, too. Their kamikaze high line gives matches a bizarre look and similarly bizarre things seem to unfold: last week goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny impaled his own defender with his kneecap; in the same game, captain Raphinha scored from outside the box with his face.
All of which might be worthy of mockery if it wasn’t quite so effective, like Tottenham but with points. Barcelona are second in the Champions League table behind Liverpool, the only two clubs to have already qualified for the last 16 before Wednesday night’s grand finale. They are third in La Liga and still in the title race after a recent dip in results.
