“The new year arrives in midseason for Europe’s soccer leagues, but the sense of renewal is none the less challenging. Put yourself into the shoes of Josep Guardiola, the coach of Barcelona. You had already warned your players that there might be a period of darkness after the team won the unprecedented six out of six competitions that it entered in 2009 — and now you are standing, ill clad in your gray suit in the constant downpour, as those cups are paraded at the Camp Nou stadium before Saturday evening’s match against Villarreal.” (NYT)