BarcelonaA hard-fought victory for Barça at the Slavia Prague ground (2-4). With this score, Hansi Flick’s team maintains the option of playing directly in the round of 16 of the Champions League, but everything will remain to be resolved in a few days. Next, some hot notes.
It will be exciting. Check if your transistors have batteries, because in the last installment of the Champions league phase they will be sorely needed. Barça’s qualification for the playoffs is guaranteed, but right now the Blaugrana team is outside the top 8 (due to goal average general) and should play a round of 16. It is one of the eight teams that will reach the final day with 13 points and with a record worse than that of PSG, Newcastle and Chelsea. Copenhagen will not only have to win at the Camp Nou, but they will have to score in order to have two weeks of rest.
Fermín is a bomb. Flick’s tactical drawing staggers the three midfielders, and this enhances the arrival at goal of whoever occupies the closest position to the classic midfielder. But beyond this circumstance, the German is lucky that Xavi rescued Fermín in the summer of 2023 to turn him into a footballer who never stops growing. The Andalusian has beaten Dani Olmo, who is more expensive and experienced than him, and is in contention to be one of the most decisive players in the final stretch of the season. In Prague, two more goals in the bag: the first, after a very lively clearance; and the second, a strong shot placed from the front. La Masia has provided one box to box manual It’s normal that half of the Premier League frisze for him.
A missile and a problem. Dani Olmo did not miss a detail of Fermín’s brilliant contribution in the first half and went out onto the frozen turf of the Eden Arena eager to have fun. The striker was coming off a remarkable performance in the last League game and it took very little time to show that he can also break the net with shots loaded with bad ideas. Just like in the derby earlier this year, he aimed at the far post to send an impossible missile past not one but two goalkeepers. The negative note is that his appearance was the emergency solution to a muscle injury in Pedri’s right leg, the same as always. It looks like the canary will be out for a few weeks.
A cinderella with too many facilities. Cubarsí, named in Sunday’s loss to Anoeta, started the game on the bench. However, his occasional absence did not make Barça a more reliable team in defence. On the contrary: Gerard Martín suffered bravely with the giant Chory, Balde was a custard in some disputes and De Jong had moments to defend with his gaze. Eric Garcia, an insurance at the back, did take the whole duel with the intensity that was needed. But Martorell’s also featured in the two Slavia goals before the break, both from corners. The Czechs had only made one in the entire Champions League. Too many facilities for one of the cinderellas of the competition.
