Match Points : Espanyol vs FC Barcelona (2-2)

Last night, the team managed to save a point away from home in the last minute of the game. Moreover, it’s the most late goal that Barcelona score since Gary Lineker. But the fact that we saved the point doesn’t mean that we’re not disappointed with the team. Barcelona couldn’t keep up the good run, and beat the city rivals Espanyol. And with Pique getting a red card, Alves out, Araujo doubtful and Eric Garcia’s current form – Looks like the match in the Mestalla will be a tough one. Not to mention the fact that we have the match vs Napoli this Thursday.

Barcelona started the Barcelona Derby with the aim to kill the game early. And it took just over a minute to score the first goal. But the rest of the match wasn’t that easy. Let’s start with the good things first.

Good Points

• Adama Traore looks like a ‘Bingo’ after 2 matches. We knew that he’s a beast, and we knew that he’s very good at dribbling. But with 2 assists already, the end product is also there, and that’s an aspect we all feared when he signed. But you have to remember that at Wolves, Adama used to have many key passes. But In Wolves there are less players to covert these passes into goals and assists. Let’s hope he’ll keep up this form.
• Adama Traore looks like a ‘Bingo’ after 2 matches. We knew that he’s a beast, and we knew that he’s very good at dribbling. But with 2 assists already, the end product is also there, and that’s an aspect we all feared when he signed. But you have to remember that at Wolves, Adama used to have many key passes. But In Wolves there are less players to covert these passes into goals and assists. Let’s hope he’ll keep up this form.
• Luuk de Jong once again entering the field and playing a decisive role. At the start of the season, the Dutch striker looked lost. But as a ‘role player’, he’s a good solution for matches like exactly the one last night.

Bad Points

• Ferran Torres with a bad game yesterday. The forward did manage to get a couple of good chances. But overall, he wasn’t very active and disappeared for large periods of the game. Wonder if Xavi will keep using him as a striker, or he will return to the wing.
• Personally, Eric Garcia is a player that I really like. But even I didn’t know what he was thinking in the second goal of Espanyol. Very bad performance for the defender, who came back from weeks out with an injury. And he looked out of shape. But one thing that I will always remember: At his age, Pique was a failure in Manchester United. And Puyol was still a Barcelona B player. So I wouldn’t give up on him yet. 3rd or 4th center back in the squad is a good place for him.
• Busquets shouldn’t play 90 minutes every game. Yesterday in the second half he was lost. I don’t think it’s a good Idea when you have to face Napoli in a few days.
• Auba is still in a bad form. We have to remember that he didn’t play since December, so we have to be patient with him.

Bottom line

A week ago we were very optimistic, and after the match last night I see many people feel pessimistic. But always remember – Having so many youngsters in the team = Inconsistency. Napoli will be a tough opponent either way. So let’s hope for the best.

Marco