^Good post!
I think that we're wasting too much potential right now. We have the best attack in the world and even though Busquets and Iniesta weren't at their best in the past few months they're still world-class.
We can go in two different directions. One option is to return to the real ''tiki-taka'' with fast movement etc although our midfield might not be capable to fulfill their roles exactly like a few years ago (..ok, obviously they're not capable). The other option is to improve our game, to add variety and more importantely to use our players' strenghts.
When people discuss possible formations or tactics one thing comes to my mind: Bayern under Jupp Heynckes.
We have so many players who are fast, good with their feet and technical gifted as well as clynical in front of the goal. They're perfect to rip defence apart but only when they have space to do it. We usually don't have enough space. We give the opponent too much time to think and to reorganize.
Bayern played beautiful football. They didn't park the bus but were defensively solid to say the least. I don't understand why so many people here are against a double pivot. We have two of the best DMs in the world. One is a great ball distributor and the other is probably the world's best tackler and his long balls are great.
Busquets - Mascherano could be better than Schweinsteiger - Martinez.
Why not something like this?
Haters will say Busquets and Mascherano will slow down our game. Our game is slow with or without a double pivot. Rakitic is not the fastest, Iniesta is not the fastest and Alves is not clinical enough (anymore) to be a real threat. We're only dangerous when Messi and Neymar show their individual brilliance or when we much space (which often is not the case). We should at least try it out.
And yes, I'd sign Reus. He is one of the best players in the world, relatively young and only costs 25m. He is far better than Pedro and the perfect player for a more direct style. His link-up play is exceptional and his speed, stamina, work-rate and flair is something we could really use now.
I'm pretty sure that Neymar - Suarez - Messi - Reus + Alba/RB would be enough attacking power. Busquets as a lone pivot (especially when his midfield partners play wide to cover the fullbacks) doesn't work anymore. We saw it vs Real. He gets terribly exposed and I don't even blame him. He has too much space to cover.