It does tell how, but not why, and specifically why with such irrational fervor. I think at the root of it all is contempt for sophistication and artistry in the game, which Barcelona epitomizes in many ways. It is not a new phenomenon, but never was amplified to such an extent, due to level of attention generated by media. Football is working class entertainment after all, and intrinsically linked to tribal and populist instincts. 'They think they are something special, this lot.' But beneath all the hate and ridicule, there is an unsettling feeling that maybe they really are. And that is not allowed, so 'they' become personifications of various forms of evil: pretentiousness, duplicity, lack of fair play, etc. - all exaggerated at every possible opportunity. By contrast, other footballing entities who present themselves as working class heroes or at least antagonists to perceived enemies of 'true fans', get free pass, sometimes for comparatively more dubious actions. That kind of sentiment is always fuelled by deep feelings of one's own inferiority. Irrational mass behavior lies at the core of all tribalism, and is present in every form of fan rivalry. But this particular form of 'hate' I find really interesting, as there is something more primordial and essential to it, compared to traditional club rivalries or usual contempt for success.
