No captains On the second day of the League, already with some urgency after Madrid’s six from six, Xavi risked Anoeta with a revolutionary eleven. 70 minutes without sacred cows, brace for a colossal Ter Stegen and a change of system with the debutant Ferran Torres next to Lewandowski and a defense of three dominated by theoretical substitutes waiting for the reinforcements that are still missing. Accused at times of being too soft on his ex-dressing room mates, the Valaisan dared with the names, but stopped halfway in terms of a collective proposal. The pre-season is getting longer in a Barça with too many backlogs of homework both on the pitch and in the offices.
The total shocker. Luckily, however, cooking times are shortened with players like Ansu Fati. It will be difficult to understand that the Hispanoguinean will be a substitute again on the third day. Because if against Rayo Vallecano he revolutionized the duel with the clearest chances, against Real Sociedad he needed only five minutes to distribute two decisive goal assists. He changed the color of a match sailing in uncertainty, first with a blind spur for Dembélé to make it 1-2 and then with an electric move to enable Lewandowski in the 1-3, cheerleader on his birthday and generous with Ansu himself, who rounded off the exhibition with the definitive 1-4.
Chronic indefiniteness. With Busquets suspended, the logic called for putting Pjanic on, who has convinced the coaches with his understanding of the positional game. But Barça appeared in Sant Sebastià with De Jong facing the play and not with his back. The Dutchman, who for weeks has resisted the internal pressures that want him out of the Camp Nou, was not only a starter, but had the opportunity to play where he likes the most. No one would have said it was transferable. However, his contribution was disappointing. He lacked determination in the ball exit and sensitivity between the lines, and on top of that he committed the loss prior to Isak’s equalizing goal. It’s starting its fourth season and we still don’t know what it’s playing.
Minutes to another place. The other big change in Xavi’s line-up against Real Sociedad was Balde. The poor start to the season of the criticized Jordi Alba and the difficulties in registering Marcos Alonso, who is hoping in London that Barça will be able to afford his signing, brought the young full-back to the starting line-up. His entrance was unbeatable. Only a few seconds had passed and he allowed himself to ride down the left to assist Lewandowski in the 0-1. Nothing to say about his offensive contribution. It’s a pity that in defense he had problems to contain Elustondo’s rise and some fall of Silva in his area. If Alonso or another laner arrives in the end, it would be best if he fights for another team.
