Barcelona versus Valencia - 14-4-2018 - La Liga Match review
A lively Coutinho helps Barca overcome the challenge of Valencia.
After the debacle in the champions League last
week, Barcelona looked deflated and the aggressive Valencia looked to take
advantage of the slackness of their opponents. Valencia were on the attack from
the word go , especially Guedes and Rodrigo looked threatening. The two kept
Sergio Roberto, Pique and Umtiti quite busy. But Valencia’s poor finishing let them down despite the
Barcelona defense looking vulnerable. Ter Stegen was on the alert from the
start and made some good saves.
But Barca slowly gained in confidence with
Countinho being the liveliest of the lot. Thankfully he was not part of the
Roma match and did not have any of that wretched hangover. He forced the Valencia defenders back and with
the energetic Alba supporting from the left, things started looking
better. Messi was very subdued – his big
contributions were two good headers that were saved by Neto. Saurez was less impactful upfront and Paulinho
was mostly ineffective. Barca missed the solidity of the injured Rakitic.
Against the run of play, Barca managed to score. A
lovely, defense splitting, through pass from Countinho was met by Luis Suarez,
who rounded off the crowding Valencia defenders and coolly tapped it in to net.
In the 2nd half Busquets started taking
risks as he moved forward more than usual. Soon Iniesta was better involved in the action. At the back, the completely
off Umtiti, the on and off Pique and the erring Ter Stegen were creating some
totally unnecessary howlers, which went unpunished. Despite Valencia continuing
to attack, their wastefulness came to Barcelona’s rescue.
Soon the 2nd goal followed for Barca.
It was a well taken corner kick from Countinho that was headed into the goal by
Umtiti, who made up for his errors at the back.
Then Leo Messi woke up. He started combining with
his long term, team mate Iniesta and created some nice moves forward. He gave a
lovely pass to Iniesta which the sublime playmaker sadly missed. Countiho
continued to impress.
There was some drama towards the end, as substitute
Dembele’s challenge on Gaya resulted in a penalty. Parejo’s shot was almost
saved by Ter Stegen, but the ball rolled into the goal beneath his body, much
to his frustration. Valencia continued
to press harder in search of the equalizer. But Barcelona managed to hold them
off and ensured a 2-1 win in the end and set a new Laliga record of 39 games
without a loss.
Talking
Points:
Lack
of rotation:
After the depressing defeat to Roma, it would have
been better to rest the likes of Messi, Iniesta and Luis Suarez. The form of
the back line is a major worry. Pique, Umtiti and Sergi badly need a break. Valverde’s
refusal to use the bench strength of Barca is totally baffling. Similarly, the
substitutions are being done very late into the game and the incoming players have little time to create an impact. Denis Suarez, Paco Alcacer, Aleix Vidal, Digne,
Semedo, Yerry Mina and Vermaelen should be given more playing time.
Valencia
has a long way to go:
Valencia CF has had a fantastic season this year
and they are aspiring to finish in the top three. Despite a number of good
players, they lack good strikers and need to be better in defense. If not for
their lack of finishing, they could have had Barca on the ropes in this game.
Valencia needs to improve to consistently challenge the top 3 of La Liga.
A
subdued Messi:
Ideally he should have been rested. It’s not easy
to forget what happened in the Champions League. When fans like us are still to
come out of it, how would you expect the guy who had put his heart and soul in
this season’s campaign to take it in his stride? He did not have the
spirit to carry on.
To add to it, he was being accused of disappearing
in big matches while Ronaldo is said to be more impactful for Real (LOL). Messi
had been like a man possessed this season. He had risen to the tough occasions time
and time again and single-handedly taken his team across. But even by his
standards, it’s not possible to do it, every time. That depressing feeling of failing
to rise to the tough situation seem to pull him down.
Sadly Barcelona were playing the same way in this
game as well. Barcelona looked and played like the Argentine team. It’s a huge
burden to carry for Leo Messi, which he had done fantastically. For the past
three seasons he had been let down by the Barcelona team in the UCL quarterfinals,
especially the defense. He is totally justified in being miffed. He needs some
time and lot of hugs. A happy Messi is what Barcelona and the fans want to
see. Hopefully he will get back to his best spirits soon.
It’s very difficult to keep the little wizard down,
for long. He came into his own in the 2nd
half in the game and was quite lively combining with Iniesta and the twin
Suarez.
Iniesta
may not stay:
That look on Iniesta’s face, from the bench, as
Barca went down pathetically in the Champion’s League said it all. He was feeling
guilty of not being able to create an impact. He looked sad and resigned. That
result would definitely be one of the major reasons for him to leave Barcelona next
season. Barcelona would be losing one of
its charismatic leaders and legend. For all that he had done for the club,
the little magician truly deserves a better send off.
If at all he stays for one more season, then it’s
a boon for the newcomers, who could get to learn from the best of the best. Like
Xavi, I would love to see Iniesta lift
the UCL one last time, as a Barca player, before he bids adieu. Keeping my finger’s crossed for the legend. Whatever he
decides, I truly hope he is happy.
A
new unbeaten record for Barca:
Despite not being at their best, it’s commendable that Barcelona had managed to set a new record of remaining unbeaten in 39 straight La Liga games. 7 more points and the La Liga title of this season will be theirs – Not bad for a team that was considered to be down and out, at the start. Hearty Congratulations. It’s a magnificent feat.
After the disappointing UCL exit, it was essential to get back and play well in the league. Though Barca were not at their best, they managed to win the game. Hope that the coach and the players work together and come back strongly in the coming days.
Forca Barca! Visca Barca!
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