Joao Felix scored a very nice goal this Saturday in Cadiz. Jon Nazca / REUTERS
Despite a significant turnover made by Xavi, FC Barcelona won on the field of poorly classified Cádiz this Saturday, during the 31st round of the Spanish championship.
Barça does the job. Three days after having tamed PSG at the Parc des Princes (2-3) in C1 and three days also before meeting Luis Enrique’s players, Tuesday, in Monjuic, Xavi’s men won in Cadiz (0-1 ) this Saturday, during the 31st day of La Liga. And this despite a large turnover made with a view to the Champions League. The Catalans therefore remain eight lengths behind the leader in the standings, Real Madrid, who disposed of Mallorca on the road earlier in the day (0-1), thanks to a goal from Aurélien Tchouaméni. What poster is on the menu for the next round in the championship? Real-Barça, April 21, at Bernabeu. Cádiz remains 18th.
Araujo, Koundé, Yamal, De Jong, Pedri, Gundogan and Raphinha started on the bench. Obviously, Barça was less flamboyant than one could imagine… In the game, there was not much to enjoy. And it was from a set piece that Barça made the decision. Ball extended with a header by an Andalusian defender and Joao Felix attempted an acrobatic return as spectacular as it was effective (0-1, 37th). What a gesture! A bit more liberated in the game after this gem, the Catalans were on the verge of making the break, Roberto heading back for Fermin, who saw his shot pushed back on the line by Chust (43rd). The kind of save that’s worth a goal… Juanmi took advantage of Cubarsi’s naivety (45+1) to give Barcelona a few thrills, but he ultimately couldn’t control it. Behind, things were heating up, but the score did not change (0-1 MT).
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Barça without trembling
Not in great spirits after returning from the locker room, the Andalusians were entitled to a few moments of joy when they saw Juanmi pierce Ter Stegen’s net (54th). Only a few moments because the person concerned had started with… several meters in advance and was logically punished with an offside. In any case, Cadiz was raising its head. And they started to believe it. And why not ? This Barça B, with its head turned towards Paris-SG and Real Madrid, was not impregnable.
However, there was talent on the pitch on the Catalan side, with this cross from Torres for Felix, very close to the double (61st). The Portuguese’s flat foot passed right next to the cage. Talent, Xavi added a little more with Yamal, Pedri and Koundé (62nd). However, there were no chances, even if Felix, again, was still close to scoring. It even touched the base of the post, but the referee had previously raised his flag (72nd). In any case, Pedri brought a technical touch which allowed FC Barcelona to have more control. Which Pedri, returning from injury, gave a caviar-shaped assist to Raphinha last Wednesday, for Barcelona’s second goal at the Park. Having just entered the game, Samassekou forced Ter Stegen to make a huge save with a long shot (78th). The speed of the Yamal nugget gave hope for a final burst of brilliance, but Barça was largely content with these three points (0-1 final score), with no injuries. The contract is more than fulfilled this Saturday evening.
