Espanyol versus FC Barcelona – Laliga Match Review - Feb 4, 2018

Espanyol versus FC Barcelona – Laliga Match Review - Feb 4, 2018

Barcelona travelled to the RCDE stadium and took on the usually rough Espanyol in Laliga in very trying conditions. It was here that FC Barcelona had experienced their first loss of this season, when they lost the first leg of the Copa Del Rey. There was an underlying tension to the Catalan Derby as the comments of Pique and Busquets, after the Copa del Rey win in the quarterfinals, displeased the Espanyol team and fans. The two were consistently booed whenever they touched the ball.

The playing conditions were terrible as the field was soggy due to the torrential rains. As the game progressed the water logging made the pitch resemble a swimming pool in patches. It was difficult to control and pass the ball as it tended to stop or float in the water logged grass. It affected Barca’s style of play more than Espanyol. Overall it was a tough situation which the home side looked to take advantage of.

To add to the tension, Valverde decided to bench Messi, Alba, Sergi Roberto and Rakitic. Coutinho, Digne, Semedo and Alcacer were part of the starting 11 along with Iniesta, Busquets, Suarez, Paulinho,  Umtiti, Pique and Ter Stegen.

For the first few minutes, Espanyol were aggressive as Barca tried to negotiate the new team combinations and the wet conditions. Soon Barca started to see more of the ball, with Iniesta and Coutinho trying their best to get the team into some kind of rhythm, without much success. It was difficult to control the ball which was almost floating in water. Espanyol were content to sit back and defend with few forays into the Barca half. Countinho seem to find his footing in slippery conditions and he was very unlucky as his signature, long range shot hit the bar. Despite the disjointed team efforts, there was no lack of workmanship from every player on both sides. The first half ended at 0-0.

In the second half, both teams brought in their benched players. Alba, Sergi and Messi came in for Digne, Semedo and Alcacer.  In the meantime Garcia, Moreno and Javi Lopez came in as substitutes for Espanyol. There was an immediate effect in the way Barca played. Messi dribbled past Espanyol players with water splashing all around while Alba was tracking forward in the left. Sergi also started foraying into the Espanyol half trying to link up with the ever enthusiastic Countinho.

But despite the dominance with the possession, it was Espanyol who scored first. In the 66^th minute Garcia’s immaculate cross was headed in by Gerard Moreno and Espanyol were up 1-0. They were enthused by the goal and tried attacking. The game became rougher with Barcelona at the receiving end of some heavy and sliding tackles. It looked like the 21 match winning streak of Valverde in Laliga would be ended by Espanyol.

But Valverde’s  Barcelona are known for their fighting qualities and it came to the fore as the game edged towards the 80^th minute. A foul on Umtiti gave Barcelona a free kick. A soaking wet Messi delivered a perfect free kick into the box, which ironically found the head of the towering Gerard Pique who for once did not miss, much to the dismay of the jeering home crowd. His goal celebrations infuriated the opposition team and crowd further. But the big guy (this lanky brat is a real prick – no question) was least bothered, enjoying his moment in the sun, rubbing in more unnecessary salt.

As the game progressed, tempers flared and it became nastier. Victor Sanchez was particularly awful especially on the irrepressible Messi, who almost lost his cool. Then the two Gerards (the goal scorers) took center stage with an unnecessary falling out. Moreno inadvertently caught Pique with a rough challenge and things spilled over as both the players started to argue. Players from both sides started jostling each other. The referee was busy issuing yellow cards. There was also some totally unwanted play acting from Garcia to get a penalty, but the referee was having no such nonsense.  Finally the tense game ended in a 1-1 draw.

More than their skills, this match was a test of Barcelona’s patience, determination and character and they did very well to come away with a draw in dreadful conditions. Barca has scored a total of 17 goals in the last ten minutes this season. The best part was FC Barcelona’s unbeaten streak in Laliga remains intact after 22 games. And the guy who had the last laugh was the impish Gerard Pique.

Image Credits - Google Images