The moment has arrived for Barcelona’s superstars to make their mark at the club 

The players are well rested and need to capitalize on the momentum to bring the Blaugrana back to the top of the table

Barcelona earned two important midweek breaks in the month of February, thanks to their impressive top eight showing in the group stage of the Champions League.

Meanwhile, their main rival for the Liga title, Real Madrid, has already played a tough away game at Manchester City, with the return leg coming up next week, where their best players will have to feature as they go into the match with only a one-goal lead.

They also have a challenging domestic fixture against Osasuna on Saturday, with Barcelona getting additional rest until their next game on Monday against Rayo Vallecano.

In theory, less games should be a big advantage. But sometimes, especially when you’ve picked up momentum, the time off can work against you if you aren’t mentally prepared to get back into the fight when you return. Hansi Flick will surely communicate the message in training.

What the time off actually means is critical rest for Flick’s untouchables. Mainly, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha. These are the players he simply can’t rest without risking a serious drop in quality on the field.

It’s not enough, however, to have the talent on the field. Barcelona will need to play like a team that’s been rested. And make no mistake, this is real rest they’ve received, not the extra work the players are given during the international “breaks.” And that means, at least until they reach the hectic home stretch, playing like they did to start the season. Like a pressing machine that smothers their opponents before they can even get started.

Of all the good things Fick has done this season, getting the Barcelona players to understand and believe in their collective ability to produce physical intensity on the field, has been perhaps the most surprising and important in explaining their success. It will be hard to keep it going, game after game, when you’re fighting for three trophies in the closing months of the season. But right now, for at least a few more weeks, they must manifest what has made them so feared. In doing so, they’ll be putting the pressure on Real Madrid to not slip up.

Of course, eventually, there will be games where Flick will have to rotate. Barcelona can’t be dependent on Lamine and Pedri.

That’s where the rest of the cast needs to prove themselves.

Robert Lewandowski has had a prolific goal scoring season, but there are still many skeptics asking the question if he’s the right center forward for the upcoming season.

The midfield is a wide open competition. Other than Pedri, the midfielders have not locked down a permanent role going forward.

One day it’s Marc Casado, the next it’s Frenkie de Jong. One day Gavi, the next Fermin Lopez. Everyone has done a solid job, but none of them have really truly made their mark. Now is the time.

Defensively, the back four pick themselves. Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde have been fantastic of late. Pau Cubarsí is undroppable. As long as he’s healthy, Iñigo Martínez will get the nod. The spotlight will be on Wojciech Szczęsny, who has the trust of his manager, and must repay it with steady veteran performances. 

There are many games remaining, but now is the time to take advantage of the momentum that Barcelona has been building.

Barcelona’s best players must now show up, and set the examples for their team by leading the way forward to victory against Rayo, and then Las Palmas a week later. 

It will be a test of wills, not a question of talent or fitness. 

But it won’t be easy. Barcelona left it late against Rayo in September, claiming a 2-1 comeback, and lost to Las Palmas 2-1, in a game in November that sent them skidding in the wrong direction heading into the new year.

Now is not the time for complacency or excuses, because there are none. Now is the time to prove that Barcelona are back to their best, and not slowing down.