After the surprise defeat (2-3) of Real Madrid against Albacete, FC Barcelona traveled this Thursday evening to Racing Santander, leader of the Spanish second division. Counting for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, this match however started a few minutes late, a direct result of the traffic jams around El Sardinero. Aware of the trap, the Barcelona club presented itself with a team, certainly reworked, but competitive. Organized in 4-3-3 with an attack made up of Rashford, Torres and Lamine Yamal, the Culers were quick to stand out on Jokin Ezkieta’s goal.
On a perfect cross from Rashford, Olmo was very close to opening the scoring but the Spanish international was a few centimeters short of freeing his team (11th). On the other side of the field, the Verdiblancos and their 5-3-2 resisted the Catalan attacks and did not hesitate to play their card to the fullest. Wanted in the area, Suleiman Camara forced Joan Garcia to work (18th). In the process, on an express counter, the new recruit of Racing, Giorgi Guliashvili, also took his chance (21st). In vain. If Lamine Yamal tried to wake up the Culers with a free kick (33rd) and Bernal then Rashford rolled in two good strikes (37th, 44th), the visitors struggled to impose their game. A sterile domination illustrated by the few chances created during the first act.
Torres and Yamal free Barça
Held in check at the break, the current La Liga leader accelerated a little more after returning from the locker room. Led by Lamine Yamal, the Blaugranas were more threatening. Rashford first came up against the opposing goalkeeper (49th) before Lamine Yamal, author of a small number, also found Ezkieta’s gloves (51st). While Barcelona’s chances multiplied, Hansi Flick launched Fermin Lopez for the last half hour. Coaching paid off since after a direct incoming corner from Lamine Yamal diverted onto the crossbar (65th), Barça found the fault. On a masterful pass from Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres sped towards the Racing goal, eliminated Ezkieta and scored in the empty goal (0-1, 66th).
At the same time, Pedri, Raphinha and Lewandowski also appeared. Three major reinforcements allowing Barça to control the end of this match. Still as dominant despite two goals denied to Lozano for an offside position (77th, 87th) and a final clear opportunity for the Racing scorer (90+4th), Koundé’s teammates managed their advantage and thus validated their ticket for the quarter-finals of the competition after a final goal from Lamine Yamal on the gong (0-2, 90+5th). In the other evening meeting, Valencia, 18th in Liga, did not tremble to defeat (2-0) Burgos, 8th in the Spanish second division. Decisive in this match, Ruben Iranzo and Umar Sadiq allowed the Mestalla residents to advance to the next round.
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– UPDATE
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