There is no day without victory for this untouchable Barça. There is no game without fantasy assists, subtle shots and satisfied palms. There is no function without mastering the art of offside. Riding on their range of virtues, Hansi Flick’s team gave a good account of a fighting Espanyol in the return of the Barcelona derby after a season’s hiatus due to the blue and whites’ relegation. In a match framed within a day of mourning for the very serious floods in the Valencian Community, the leader was much superior until half-time and then saw how Espanyol reacted and caused problems. The match, like almost all of them, was played and this Barcelona team started distraught, as it ended at the Bernabéu, and then improved as it had not done this season. Their rival tried despite the obvious difference in quality between both teams, reduced the gap after the break and regretted having two goals disallowed for an illegal position.
The Barcelona team started like an airplane but after the break they relaxed excessively
The Blaugrana team looks up, towards infinity, after achieving another victory with a double from Olmo and another goal from Raphinha. The blue and white team continues to do so downwards, bordering on the relegation spots, but beyond Puado’s goal they must keep their spirit.
Flick introduced a change in the eleven that was likely, that of an unleashed Olmo for Fermín, and surprised by resting Koundé, relieved by Héctor Fort. Meanwhile, Manolo González made the Balearic player Bauzà debut in First Division and opted for Jofre along with Puado, trying to fill the midfield and rearguard with troops.
It didn’t help him surprise a Barcelona team that doesn’t understand minutes of testing or study. Half an hour into the game, like other times this season, he had practically sealed the game with three goals that compiled his strengths. Pressure, fantasy, vertigo and aim. In the first, Lamine Yamal outlined an assist with the outside of his left foot towards Olmo’s diagonal that he finished as it came to the ball to beat Joan Garcia. Then it was Casadó who found Raphinha in the gap so that the Brazilian could avoid the exit of the blue and white goalkeeper. And then again Olmo nailed the third with a dry shot from the crescent of the area. A Barça of sweetness, of caviar, to which everything goes in its favor.
Because Espanyol, despite their inferiority, had their moments to get into the match. After 1-0 Puado enjoyed a chance that he sent wide and after the Blaugrana’s second goal Jofre scored. But Espanyol’s goal was disallowed due to a borderline offside by Omar El Hilali. González’s men also claimed a possible penalty from Iñigo Martínez to Jofre.
Those episodes could have given more options to the Spanish players, but the control of the match was clearly Barcelona, at the same time that a sector of the public chanted “to Second, to Second”, as a mockery of Espanyol, to then cheer… a very offside pulled by Commander Iñigo Martínez.
There was one world left and the priority was very different for the two teams. For Barça, after also subduing Bayern and Madrid, not to relax too much and not to regret injuries. For Espanyol, try not to give up completely and not suffer a much more resounding defeat. What happened is that Barça slowed down a couple of gears and González’s team transmitted dignity. He scored another goal, from Tejero, but it was also disallowed due to millimetric offside, from Jofre. It generated another chance, from Puado, which Peña thwarted with a save. And, in the end, he found the legal goal, thanks to Puado himself.
Espanyol, very worthy, reduced the gap with a goal from Puado and had two goals disallowed due to millimeter offside
Flick, who had brought De Jong and Fermín into the fray, was angry about his team’s disconnection and Manolo González, with Smith and Cheddira, as fresh men, applauded. Barça had fallen asleep and Espanyol had woken up with pride. The Blaugrana coach decided to put Koundé on the field to avoid more problems. Barça no longer resumed the spectacular thread but their victory was not in danger either. Add up and continue for the leader.
#hour #brilliance #Barça #subdue #Espanyol
