Even the harshest critics of Ronald Koeman will concede he was dealt a rough hand to start the season with.
The sudden departures of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann took away the team’s best goalscorers.
Injuries to Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele, Kun Aguero, and Martin Braithwaite complicated the calculus further.
To the surprise of many, Koeman remains the manager on the premise that when the attackers return the true team will emerge.
The truth is likely in the middle.
Success going forward will require a plan as new players become available over the next few weeks.