No article today can fail to mention Donald Trump and we will not be less in the Sports section, especially when last night in Belgrade – the only European capital bombed by NATO – FC Barcelona was trumpist . How were Donald Trump and Kamala Harris different? The same thing that Picasso highlighted so much: personality. Jerk or not, Trump has an identity. Everyone has formed an image of him, unlike Kamala Harris, who is more aseptic and diffuse.
Yesterday FC Barcelona reinforced its personality. We know what he plays and how he plays. There is no identity without personality and this motley team has it and has been demonstrating it since the defeat of Bayern. In these fifteen days he has managed to establish a way of being, something that Xavi Hernández’s Barça did not know how to achieve in two seasons despite having – like Harris – the best of intentions.
Barça finally has personality even if it is based on conceding disallowed goals to the rival
This football thing is a dish that you never finish. If you don’t want broth – ramen for young readers –, have two cups – bowls for the youngest ones–. The most distinctive feature of FC Barcelona is a line defense that adds disallowed goals to the opponent and delimits the playing field for its own benefit. And, incidentally, it creates a surreal way of seeing football: the Barça fan can pop the champagne cork every time his team concedes a goal, with the peace of mind – empirically proven – that it will be annulled, with the consequent loss for the rivals. Building an identity by leaving the opponent offside is still very original.
Last night, Pleistocene fans discovered something never seen before. Raphinha mischievously took a corner, the ball hit the post and returned to the position of the Brazilian who, as anyone would have done, touched the ball again. Illegal, yes, but never seen before.
Starting from a defense that borders on pulling the line – and in which the Martínez e Hijos family business, by Cubarsí, grows –, Barça has been hitting all the keys in the midfield and forward, where they bustle and pass things, except last night De Jong who is like an absent lover (and lacking affection).
The identity of this Barça includes Stakhanovite routines – pressure – but also colorful football. Yamal made some passes that were as clairvoyant as they were improbable, Raphinha finally believed in himself, and Lewandowski had the honor of scoring the club’s 700th goal in the European Cup (and of failing the easiest, like the great Juan Gisbert). Having identity wins elections.
#Trumpist #Barça #Joaquín #Luna
