Are Barcelona back? Expect Van Bommel, Antwerp to test them

Xavi and Van Bommel clashed in the 2010 World Cup final, but they also had a fair share of disagreements when they were Barcelona teammates. One favored dynamic, technical play; the other preferred aggressive, physical football. Now their teams clash in Europe this week.FC Barcelona have suddenly begun to play like Barca again, which is to say they look like the overwhelming, attractive, dynamic teams in which their current manager, Xavi, used to conduct magical football symphonies.

There has been a lot of dross from Spain's champions over the past few months. Winning dross, but pattern-free, stubborn, uninspiring stuff all the same. Yet this weekend's 5-0 win over Real Betis was an…