There is no way to experience a Barcelona match with tranquility, calm and many goals. Not even when the rival in front of them is a Second RFEF team like Barbastro. This innocent, imperfect and earthly Barcelona is incapable of winning by more than a goal difference. There have already been 19 games like this. He is incapable of signing two perfect parts. It doesn’t matter what it is, you can choose. In Almería and Las Palmas they failed in the first one. In Barbastro, after a brilliant first half, the team got tangled in the second. Lucky that Fermín, Raphinha and Lewandowski scored a penalty in time because Barbastro, who were facing the game of their lives, lit up the Municipal Stadium with goals from De Mesa and Marc Prat with all the fans chanting “Yes we can” from the extra stands. Some placed by the club’s workers, including the president himself, Rafael Torres. It was necessary. An event like it had not been remembered since the singer Julio Iglesias performed in July 2001 in the Plaza de Toros.
Warned after what happened last year against Intercity, Xavi opted for a very starting eleven that, at least during the first half, exuded energy and attitude. Willing to dispel the doubts raised in recent times. It’s no secret that a Cup debacle would have been devastating.
One of those who especially shone was Héctor Fort. Without Balde, who stayed in Barcelona due to an illness, Xavi opted for the young 17-year-old youth player. Despite being used to playing on the right side, he easily occupied the left wing, willing to learn from those who know the most. Playing with Frenkie de Jong, he provided width and depth and brought out his attacking qualities. Just as Xavi likes it, he raised his head, thought, advanced and looked for the forwards chosen for the cause with good crosses: Ferran Torres, João Félix and Raphinha. All three were tested. The three were angry with Barbastro’s mistakes. His attitude (and that of the rest) of the team was what it should be. What is expected of a team that wants to win everything.
It seemed that Barça wanted to solve the pass to the second round quickly. It was noticeable in the atmosphere. The Barbastro fans were getting nervous. And Barcelona fed on this by locking Barbastro into their field for almost all of the first art. In one of those offensive actions, Araújo stole the ball from Carbonell, looked for Raphinha who raised his head, saw Fermín and assisted him. The youth squad did not fail. With his left foot, well positioned from the penalty spot, he kicked and opened the scoring. He kissed the shield remembering that passion that he feels and that at times reminded him of the longed-for Gavi.
Encouraged by his fans, the humble Barbastro tried to hold on. In those came a good run by Carlos Gasco who almost managed to enter Iñaki Peña’s kitchen. Almost. But not because the reliable Araújo was there, imperial on the court, ruthlessly stealing the ball with Iñaki Peña watching the spectacle.
Things looked very good. There was a desire to score. So many that even the forwards argued to see who took a dangerous free kick. The chosen one was João Félix, who, wanting to vindicate himself, mischievously kicked the ball under the Barbastro barrier. Arnau stretched well to avoid an almost certain goal while the stands charged against the referee, the Canarian Pulido Santana. Then they celebrated when the same referee inexplicably disallowed a goal by João Félix. Without VAR it was impossible to prove his error.
The second half of Barcelona was just as inexplicable. Xavi’s men relaxed and Barbastro increased their level of aggressiveness. Xavi’s men suffered too much. Lucky for Héctor Fort, who centered a ball looking for Raphinha. Luckily the Brazilian didn’t miss and scored the second because otherwise the film could have ended worse. Because then came the time for Barbastro. From the table, in a corner kick, he beat Koundé and scored the dream goal. Xavi moved the board, bringing on Vitor Roque and Iñigo Martínez, who barely lasted 10 minutes. He retired injured. Barcelona’s house of cards began to fall. Oriol Romeu’s unworthy losses helped Barbastro grow. Xavi did not hesitate and called Gündogan that he was not at the level either, giving away inexplicable balls.
The final stretch ended with Barça not saving a single starter and with penalties for both sides. Lewandowski scored for Barça due to some hands from Javito. Marc Prat scored for Barbastro after a foul by Fermín. Barcelona ended up too exposed. The second half ruined the first. Luckily there wasn’t time for more. There are things that never change in this earthly Barça, which once again won by the minimum. It was an imperfect ending but Barça is already in the round of 16 of the Cup.
