BarcelonaBarça’s triumph against a determined Viktoria Pilsen in the epilogue of the Champions League for the Blaugrana. Ferran Torres and Pablo Torre were the main protagonists of an evening with lights and shadows in the Czech lands. Next, some hot notes.
Healing goals In addition to 2.8 million for the Blaugrana coffers, the visit to Pilsen offered several readings. On a positive note, a well-deserved ovation for the role of Ferran Torres in Lewandowski’s usual position: the Valencian added two goals as a pure forward in the area. We will also applaud the remarkable display of Iñaki Peña, protected by the posts and author of a couple of meritorious saves. Now, if the Alicante goalkeeper intervened so much, it was in considerable part due to the poor performance of the Piqué-Alonso duo in the central axis. It will be an anomaly to see them share a line again in a starting eleven. Despite the early goal from Madrid, his defensive mix with Barcelona was not conclusive.
Kessie, better than Pablo Torre? The performance of the Ivorian in the pivot was correct. No shine and no streaks until he got injured. The same cannot be said for Torre, who combined encouraging details (including goulash) with the banter of a debutant in the elite. The Cantabrian player, who was not loaned to Racing due to the formalization date of his signing by Barça, has the ability to progress in positional play and provide more oxygen to Pedri and Gavi. He confirmed this in Pilsen, where he also made a serious mistake in a ball exit and took the penalty kick that led to the first local goal. It’s green, yes, but green hope.
Bellerin, with Adama. Even if the mantra that Xavi has at his disposal “everything he asked for”, we must remember again and again that this is not the case. His prayers did serve for Laporta to renew Dembélé and Sergi Roberto and for him to make an effort to bring Kounde, but not for Azpilicueta to strengthen the defense. Since club signings such as Raphinha or Kessie were prioritized, the last-minute solution for the right-back was Bellerín, who signed for a year and, at the moment, convinces more for his looks and his political positions than because of how he plays. His case recalls that of Adama, another fruit of La Masia who did not convince the coach. A pity
Little familiarity with Portuguese football. A group phase of the Champions League that has seen the eliminations of Barça, Atlético de Madrid and Sevilla has come to an end. Nothing like it has been seen in recent years. Tebas has watered most of the clubs in the League with the controversial CVC funds, but the reality shows a worrying picture of state football in the top continental competition. Only Real Madrid, current champion, survives. Not only does La Liga come out on the losing end when compared to other European powerhouses such as the Premier League, Serie A and the Bundesliga, but it also sees Portuguese football sneak two of the three participants (Porto and Benfica) into the round of 16. To make him look at it.
