BarcelonaBarça’s display in its traditional presentation at the Gamper against a very weak Pumas. Six goals to dream about in a night of widespread joy. Below, the highlights of the duel.
Orchestra director. Barça has activated levers to excite the parish with signings that will raise the level of the squad and make it fight for the most important titles. Lewandowski, a striker of the era, will swell to score goals. Raphinha, a hungry winger, will provide dynamite on the wings. And Kounde, called to dominate Europe, will raise the performance of the defense. But the real beacon of this team was already there and it only grows and grows. Pedri was already doing everything well and keeps adding attributes to his backpack. Al Gamper, two goals and an assist. At only 19 years old, he is capable of making any constellation dance around him. It’s so good it’s scary.
The 9 gives powers. After three games with the number 12 on his back, Lewandowski wore his fetish number. To the detriment of poor Memphis, who a year ago capitalized on the excitement in a Barça starved by Messi’s farewell and now he is the left striker. The issue is that the heir to the 9 not only made his debut with a goal at the Gamper, but did more than apply for the shootout. In fact, he assisted Pedri twice and played a decisive role in Auba’s goal, the fifth of the night. If the Pole, as he showed against Pumas, understands that Xavi’s work needs the ram to go beyond the finish, he can be an even more massive weapon of destruction.
The fans have their say. De Jong does not start as a starter in this new Barça because he has not earned it. He has never been the incident midfielder that everyone expected after the club paid more than 80 million for him and gave him an upward contract. That is why the sports area now sees it as a precious material to generate fair play financial, either with a sale (which he does not want) or with a substantial salary reduction (which has not yet occurred). The music that has accompanied the Dutchman, however, did not match the affection he gathered at the Gamper. De Jong was praised by Laporta in the preview, ovated in the presentation and chanted with the ball in play. If he wants to continue, please facilitate the registration of new colleagues.
Gamper’s stain. On a night in which everything had to be round, Braithwaite, who has known since May from Xavi’s mouth that he will not play a single minute if he stays, decided to present himself in front of the public. The Dane showed his regrown hair under a loud whistle and then, of course, watched the whole game from the bench. He says he wants to use up the two years of his contract, but Barça trusts that he will reconsider. Umtiti had more bullfighting shame, who decided to remove himself from the Gamper so that the booing of the last edition would not be repeated. Kounde will keep his number 23.
