BarcelonaBarça have backed up their position in the league with a new victory at Elche. Two goals from Ferran Torres and Memphis Depay (penalty) in the second half turned Fidel’s initial goal upside down. Then the hot notes of the match.
Aim as revulsive. Ferran Torres’ first substitute since arriving at Barça. Xavi wanted to oxygenate Martínez Valero, but it didn’t take long for him to return to the pitch. With the score against, the Valencian winger, noted for his lack of aim, took on the role of revulsive and, wherever he went, turned it into his first chance. Then three failed, one of which with remarkable merit of Edgar Badia, but we must give value to the immediate success from the bench, the impact of his entry into the game. Perhaps this small step aside was necessary to face the next title.
A bad pass. As far as we know, Dani Alves has to renew his contract. At almost 39 years old, the Brazilian is a guarantee in terms of understanding the position game, a good element to accompany young people who go up and keep the finesse on the right leg. These are the strong points that make Xavi ask the Brazilian to extend the second stage at the club. What does not fit is that the coach exposes the defects in defense as much as in Elche. Sharing him with Dembélé, who doesn’t cover much, to stop long sides like Mojica and well-endowed ends like Fidel, wouldn’t be exactly a favor. The test, the 1-0.
Work for Dr. Pruna. Let it be clear that the writer has always declared himself a fan of Ter Stegen. From the defense in its beginnings, when it fought for the title with Bravo, to the audacity to put it at the level of Valdés, a reference under sticks in the history of Barça. That’s why it’s so hard to see the current performance of the German, conditioned by the state of his right knee and the mismanagement he makes of criticism, even more so when the latter is done from the observation. It is true that in Elche he saved the 2-1 with a great stretch in a shot by Pere Milla, but even in the hits it emanates difficulty: the ball went to his right and propelled the jump with his left leg . Dr. Pruna is working to make up for this anomaly. At stake is the legacy of a great goalkeeper.
The VAR benefits Barça. Barça are consolidating in the Champions League with three points sweated with ink and a touch of controversy. The Memphis 1-2 (what a penalty kick!) Was born from the VAR, which saw some hands from Barragán. Then Elche claimed the same punishment in the opposite area in an action by Jordi Alba. The criterion of the first play did not apply to the second and this ignited the local parish and the bench. Barça benefited from the offense this time around, but it is undeniable that the rule is still lacking. The interpretation made by subjects rules on the theoretical objectivity of machines.
