1. RIGHT OF MIND.
The lesson Xavi taught after drawing against Espanyol was not recorded in blood, ambition and game. The intercity opposing two defensive lines, 5 at the back and 4 in midfield, only conceded one goal in the first action and almost equalized if Araújo had not saved a good counter attack from Aaron. The azulgranas came out first but were immediately disconnected afterwards. And so, until an embarrassing extension is reached.
Xavi wanted Araújo to play 60 minutes and the Uruguayan responded positively. He made it 0-1 by providing a good brake on the served ball, from Pablo Torre’s corner but the team stopped looking at Gaizca Campos, the local goalkeeper. And in this situation, Siveiro’s tactic managed to reach the break without serious damage. Jordi Alba had offensive lucidity but his teammates, Ferrans, Depay and Kessié, messed the ball up inside. Disconnected game.
2. ORIOL FEAST
The coach of the modest team from Alicante changed the system when he saw that his players would join Aaron in the Barça field. He placed Cristian Herrera near the striker and changed the scheme towards a clear 1-4-4-2. It worked out well for him as he took a risk but more importantly, Barça were left in a sea of uncertainty.
Lacking the courage to fix the tie, he used the boxer’s response: if you hit me, I’ll hit you. And it happened but AGAIN.
Oriol Soldevila sticks out his left foot and a header to tie the game whenever Dembélé and Raphinha score. The Frenchman on a counter and already playing inside, the Brazilian finishes a good low cross from Alba. From 1-1 to 2-2 and, moments later, to 3-3 to go into extra time. Oriol is the STAR of the second act and Barça is the team that when they score a goal they think they have won the game.
And no, without fight, concentration, aggressiveness, communication, help, offensive persistence and reading the moments, any team, no matter how low, complicates points or ties.
3. PHYSICALLY BUSTED
Goalkeeper Campos was also a hero saving a point-blank left-footer from Raphinha in addition to other excellent interventions. But Barça’s great luck yesterday, in addition to Xavi’s good changes and despite Marcos’ mistake, came Intercity broke in extra time.
And then Ansu Fati took advantage of it to score almost 2 goals: the victory, 3-4, with a timely shot from the inside right boot and another low/poisonous one that Campos miraculously saved. The game was finally where Xavi’s men wanted it to be, safer defensively as Intercity was depleted.
In the end, the blaugrana passed but that’s not how they won titles. A good professional learns quickly because the position here suits him and the team what is being played. Nasty sensations if there is no definite correction
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
