FC Barcelona versus Athletic Bilbao – Laliga Game March 18, 2018 - Takeaways

FC Barcelona versus Athletic Bilbao – Laliga Game March 18, 2018 - Takeaways

There is nothing much to write about, as the match was over in the first 30 minutes. But there were some important takeaways from this games.

Barcelona took on the big bullies and overreacting kings of Laliga – Athletic Bilbao with a some of its usual starters missing from the squad. While Suarez missed out due to suspension (he finally earned his 5^th yellow card in the last game), the injured Busquets missed out and Iniesta was kept in the bench as a substitute.  

Instead the midfield was put under the supervision of Rakitic and Paulinho and Messi. Messi was supported in the front by Alcacer, in the flanks by Alba, Countinho, Dembele and Roberto. Athletic Club, chose to bench their in-form players - Aritz Aduriz and Inaki William, which was baffling.

Whoever was in or out, things were just as good as ever for Barca. They rode over the very physical yet tame Athletic Club and created a number of chances. By the tenth minute, Alcacer finished off a fanstastic cut back from Jordi Alba to score the first goal. Messi scored a beauty of a lovely assist from Ousmane Dembele to make it 2-0. 

An unlucky Countinho hit the woodwork twice and Paulinho also saw his well aimed shot ricochet off the woodwork. By the end of the first half Barca could have been easily up by 5 goals, but they leading 2-0. 

In the 2^nd half Barca took their foot off the pedal and did not press much. While Athletic did press more, there was no big danger as they failed to test Ter Stegen and the solid defense of Barca much. Iniesta and Andre Gomes came off the bench to loud applauses from the adoring fans. 

Overall it was a good game to go into the international break. FC Barcelona under Valverde are yet to lose a Laliga game and there seems to be no stopping them.

The Important Takeaways

Iniesta needs to stay:

There are rumour-mills churning that Iniesta is considering a move to the Chinese League. Despite age and injuries hampering him these days, Iniesta is one player that Barca would want to stay with them at least for one more season. His being there, lends confidence and youngsters like Dembele, Countinho and Semedo will benefit immensely by playing with this once in a lifetime player.  

The huge applause that he received as he came in the second half just shows how much he is loved and cherished at Barcelona. There is a collective hope that the legend will decide to stay for the time being. But whatever the divine veteran decides, it will be gracefully accepted by all his fans.

Andre Gomes’s open interview has helped:

The recent interview of Andre Gomes about his mental and physical struggles at Barcelona has opened up a new avenue. The fans have warmed up to him and have given him total support. It also seems to add to his confidence in the field. Hope this is the beginning of good things for the talented Gomes.

The enthusiastic team players:

Every player who was given a chance have impressed in their own way. Alcacer has come good in almost all the games he had featured till now. Aleix Vidal has been fun whenever he joins the playing 11. Dembele is teaming up admirably with Sergi, Suarez, Coutinho and most recently Messi. Little Coutinho seems to have been born to play for Barca. Paulinho has been a surprise package who has impressed with his physicality and resolve.

It now seems that Neymar leaving this season was for Barca’s own good. Life is simple and the team has got a great mix of young and old. With the old guards Iniesta, Pique, Busquets, Messi and Suarez patiently guiding the younger players and the la Masia hopefuls, the future looks bright too. 

Unleashing Messi 3.0: 

He has recently become father for the third time. He has been wonderful this season on all fronts – be it Barcelona or Argentina. He has shouldered the responsibilities manfully and he now has a unified team that is sharing everything along with him – responsibility, difficulty, success and joy.

Messi 1.0 – A little bundle of energy, sprinting like hell, terrorizing the opposition and scoring with ferocity.

Messi 2.0: The pioneering false No. 9 who left the opposing teams flummoxed with his ability and skill.

Messi 3.0: The little legend reinvented himself taking up more responsibility including the grooming of newcomers and keeping the entire team in toe with his impeccable vision. As the team around him grows from strength to strength, Messi is freed up more. He is the favourite teddy of his entire team. The best part is that he is enjoying himself to the core. (If you want proof, watch his cute, little jig after scoring the goal in this match.) A happy and liberated Messi is fabulous news for football. This season has added a whole new dimension to his greatness.

A Ferocious Foursome in the making:

As Messi, Suarez, Countinho and Dembele start to link up more, there is a new foursome in the making for FC Barcelona. There is an easy chemistry and lack of ego which has helped in cementing the partnerships. MSCD sounds and looks good and it’s going to be a carnival at the Camp Nou if they continue to do what they have started this season.

The Woodwork Voodoo:

The woodwork has denied Barcelona a number of goals this season with Countinho and Paulinho adding to the tally through this game. Barcelona have hit the woodwork an unbelievable 38 times this season with Lionel Messi alone doing it 16 times. 

Valverde’s compact team:

Valverde had evolved this team into a more compact and disciplined unit. It is able to withstand pressure, at the same time, attack with a lot of energy. One could see, evidently, the way the entire team kept feeding Coutinho when he started and it was the same case with Dembele. He has also rotated his team admirably. While their opponents have been keeping up the pressure in the league, to their dismay, this Barcelona doesn’t seem to let up.  They are ambling along with everyone doing their part wonderfully. 

For a team that was totally written off at the start of the season, there seems to be a quiet determination in their approach. The same detractors, today, are talking of this gritty Barcelona winning the treble and more. Now that is a huge win. 

For us fans, who have kept our expectations very low, every match has been a celebration in itself. Whatever Barca wins this season will be a joyous bonus.

Image Credits - Google Images