Barcelona open their title defence against Real Sociedad on Sunday evening in likely guess and it has been quite some time since we saw the famous blue and maroon take to the field and when they do so this time around it will be under completely different circumstances as we see how they will fare under the new manager Tito Vilanova who will be taking complete control of the side for the first time in what he hopes will be a smooth transition from the pep Guardiola era.
In the Saturday press conference the new man who has been at the club for a very long time and knows exactly what to expect for the press went on to declare that the team is ready for action and have improved from the previous years and are ready to go straight into La Liga action. Starting off with a home match is all they could have asked for as they begin to what will be one of the most difficult campaigns of their recent history as they look to wrestle the title back from their arch rivals Madrid. There were a few errors when they played Socidead with Victor Valdes the main culprit and he will be hoping to learn from that knowing that the dropped points against this kind of opposition is what cost them the title last year.
We know that Madrid will be a strong again this season especially after they have confirmed they have captured the Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric and it is difficult to see anything other than a two horse race for the title. With this much against Real Sociedad were looking forward to seeing the return of a Barcelona legend in Carlos Puyol who is about ready to make his return having missed the European Championships for Spain and should take his place in defence probably alongside Pique. With Barcelona surprisingly odds against to win the title having found themselves at odds on favourites for much of the last two years the bookmakers are finally beginning to side with the special one year after winning his first title last season will now be pressing on the champions league this season and has Madrid as 5/6 favourites to win the Spanish title.
Barcelona finished the season quite strongly last season and with the additions they have made and the return of David Villa we do fancy them to take back the title this season and staff with a win here against Real Sociedad.
Ormaloon
