BARCELONA -- This era of glory at the Camp Nou has been so extraordinary, so long that some will either forget or not know that there was once a horrible trophy drought between 1999 and 2005, which was only eclipsed in embarrassment by the faulty attitudes and lack of playing excellence during that stretch.
Things began to go right under Frank Rijkaard and although his version of a "new" Barca wasn't as scintillating or remorseless as those of Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, opponents began to shore up in defence and put five men in midfield.
Victories began to depend on either a moment or two of brilliance or the other team making mistakes.