Barcelona Cruises Past Barbastro too advance in Copa del Rey
Barcelona secured a agreeable 4-0 victory over fourth-division side Barbastro on Saturday, propelling them into the round of 16 of the copa del Rey. Star striker robert Lewandowski led the charge, netting a brace to mirror his decisive performance against the same opponent in the previous season’s competition.The Catalan giants dominated the match from the outset. Defender Eric Garcia opened the scoring in the 21st minute,powerfully heading home a cross from Ronald araujo. Just ten minutes later, Lewandowski doubled Barcelona’s lead, expertly nodding in a close-range cross from Pablo Torre.
Lewandowski continued his scoring spree early in the second half, calmly slotting home a pass from Torre near the penalty spot. The young midfielder then capped off a stellar performance by adding a goal of his own, capitalizing on a mistake by Barbastro goalkeeper Arnau Fabrega to seal a resounding victory for Barcelona.
This emphatic win marks a stark contrast to Barcelona’s previous encounter with Barbastro in the Copa del Rey. In the 2023-24 season,the Aragonian club managed to score twice,pushing Barcelona to a 3-2 victory that hinged on Lewandowski’s late penalty.This time, however, Barcelona displayed their superior quality, limiting Barbastro to a mere two shots on goal. In contrast, the visitors unleashed a barrage of 19 shots, nine of which where on target, resulting in an impressive expected goals (xG) of 2.91 compared to Barbastro’s meager 0.06.
Barcelona’s journey in the 2023-24 Copa del Rey ended in the quarterfinals with a heartbreaking 4-2 extra-time defeat against eventual champions Athletic Bilbao. This year, they will be eager to go further and add another Copa del Rey trophy to their illustrious cabinet.
Dominant Barcelona Cruises Past Barbastro,Setting Sights on Copa del Rey Glory
Welcome back,football fans,to another exciting edition of “The Dugout”! Today,we’re joined by the legendary former Barcelona midfielder,Xavi Hernandez,to discuss their emphatic 4-0 victory over Barbastro in the Copa del Rey.
Xavi, thanks for joining us. What where your initial thoughts on the match yesterday?
Xavi: It was a professional performance from the lads. Barcelona showed their class right from the start. Barbastro tried to fight, as you expect from any team facing giants like Barcelona, but the difference in quality was just too important. Lewandowski, as always, was clinical in front of goal, and it was great to see young Torre shine with both a goal and two assists.
Absolutely. Lewandowski seems unstoppable at the moment. How crucial is he to Barcelona’s chances of winning the copa del rey this year?
Xavi: He is absolutely essential. Lewandowski is a world-class striker, a goal-scoring machine. His presence on the pitch gives the entire team confidence and raises the bar for everyone. He not only finds the back of the net consistently but also creates space for his teammates, opening up play with his intelligent runs and movement.
we saw a stark contrast in performance levels compared to last season’s encounter between these two teams. What do you attribute that to?
Xavi: I think this shows Barcelona’s advancement from last season. They’ve solidified their game, both defensively and offensively. The midfield looked sharp, controlling the tempo and dictating the flow of the game.
Barbastro, while brave, simply couldn’t keep up with Barcelona’s passing and pressing. It’s a testament to the work Xavi (the manager, not I!) is doing with this team.
That’s insightful,Xavi. Now, Barcelona’s journey in last year’s Copa del Rey was cut short by Athletic Bilbao in a heartbreaking quarter-final loss. Do you think they can go all the way this time?
Xavi: They certainly have the quality and depth to challenge for the title. The early rounds serve as a good opportunity to test combinations and give valuable minutes to fringe players.
However, the real test will come in the later stages when they face tougher opposition. They’ll need to maintain this level of focus and intensity throughout the competition.
Xavi, you were known for your precise passing and tactical awareness on the pitch. Do you think Barcelona’s overall style of play this season reflects the philosophy you embodied during your playing days?
Xavi: (Smiles) I see glimpses of that style, yes.the emphasis on possession, building attacks patiently from the back, and using quick, intricate passing to break down defenses – these are elements I cherish from my time at Barcelona and elements that seem to be returning. They still need to work on their solidity
at the back,but the signs are promising.
Thank you so much for your time and expertise, Xavi. It’s been a pleasure having you on “The Dugout”!
Readers, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree with Xavi’s assessment of Barcelona’s chances this year? Can they lift the Copa del Rey trophy? Let us know in the comments below!
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