But is this supremacy, created by tantalisingly free and effortless football, actually ruining the game as a competitive sport and an entertaining spectacle?
Well, despite attractive football, their games are tainted by unsportsman-like behaviour. As well as the three greatest players in the world in their ranks, they have the three biggest divers in the game too. When watching Alves, Pedro and Busquetts, one might often wonder how someone was able to smuggle a sniper rifle in to the stadium. Their child-like and weak reactions are simply laughable but somehow not embarrassing for them. It seems they do not know they are doing wrong and giving the game they are so lucky to play a bad name. For this, a good word about Sergio Busquetts has never been heard by these ears. He probably doesn't care. That's the arrogance of an over-paid footballer.
It would be a genuinely interesting opportunity to watch Barcelona travel to the Britannia Stadium and play Stoke with a Premier League referee. Not one part of me thinks Barcelona would be able to hand Tony Pulis' side's tactics or the physicality of players like Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross and Kenwyn Jones. Just imagine Andy Wilkinson smashing in to Alves and Mark Clattenberg waving play on. One can dream and a letter suggesting that might have to be sent to Uefa.
It is always interesting to think whether ex Premier League players in Spain wish they had never moved. Sure there is nicer whether, golden beaches and sangria, but in football there is no competition. Players can't be physical, games are stop/start, referees are hastled to book you and they just don't look fun to play in. It's not just Barcelona players but they are the team most English fans will see play and therefore they are responsible for putting across that image as well as the ideology of perfect football.
Ultimately, they are ruining the game because they are so perfect and so good that games have become dull. Opposition can't get near them, can't compete, and get torn apart if they try and attack. It is almost as thought everything goes right for them. They are that good that nothing goes wrong. It could be argued they make their own luck. They are that respected for their football, referees might get lost in games. A tackle on Messi often means a foul even when fair. A complaint from Xavi often means a card even when not deserving of one. If a word sums it all up, it's annoying.
Of course, they are not actually ruining football. Teams trying to compete with them and play like them can only make the game better. Arsenal are the closest to playing the same way but still get enilated. There's a long way to go and for the moment, as long as Barcelona are free-flowing, rhythmic and beautiful we may have to face that football will become boringly dominated for a while to come.
That's what is so great about supporting Southend in League 2. One week you could beat table topping Chesterfield and the next you could lose at home to bottom of the league Barnet. There's an obvious distance in quality but for me it is actually more enjoyable than watching Barcelona destroy well respected and top-quality sides. That's why I've chosen to write this while only listening to the commentary of the semi-final second leg between the Catalans and Madrid. I think Barcelona went through? Probably... definitely.
So on roll they roll, probably to make another Champions League final boring for a neutral by beating one of the greatest clubs in history, Man Utd. Can't wait.
