Barcelona need to reignite spark of magic

Just weeks ago it seemed that Barcelona were set to do something unique — a ‘double treble’ by retaining the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey trophies they won last season.

Now an alarming slump in form, culminating in Wednesday’s limp Champions League exit at Atletico Madrid, has led to fears among blaugrana fans and pundits that their team might be set to implode and end the season trophyless.

Barca went to the Estadio Vicente Calderon this week with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, but they never hit their stride — with superstar front three Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez kept under wraps by a super-organised Atletico defence.