Narrow victory in the Canary Islands. Miraculously. In extremis. Sealed after a penalty by Sinkgraven on Gündogan that he himself converted. The German saved Barcelona in injury time from saying goodbye to the League permanently. Before, Ferran Torres managed to tie Munir’s early goal. But things have to change a lot if this Barça wants to win something this season. The feeling is that, in terms of football, there is no quarrel that is worth it. Not from Xavi, not from Laporta or from anyone. Because despite the victory, the Blaugrana team offered a rather frustrating image in the colorful Gran Canaria Stadium against the cheerful UD Las Palmas. Without finishing in the entire first part. And knowing that Girona and Real Madrid had done their homework. Beyond the result, the good news is that Vitor Roque came out in the final stages and left flashes of quality for a team that, at the moment, is rather gray.
Theoretically, the teams of Xavi Hernández and García Pimienta share the same idea. There is a reason why both technicians trained at La Masia. To seek possession, superiority and above all to press. But only one did. And no, it was not Barça. UD Las Palmas dominates the release of the ball like few teams in the League. And that placed them too frequently in Barcelona’s domains. Lucky for Barça that García Pimienta’s team is not far behind with the goal because, if so, it could have been much worse.
It also happens that, unlike the Barcelona team, the Canarian team does not bleed in defense. It’s a real lock. There is a reason why it is the second team with the least goals scored in the League. Statistics say that their goalkeeper Álvaro Valles, who, at 26 years old, is reaching his sporting maturity, helps a lot. But only the numbers say it because yesterday Barcelona barely tested him. Not a shot in the 49 minutes of the first half. An unworthy figure for a team that intends to compete.
Fighting doesn’t work. Christmas seems to have taken away Xavi’s shake at half-time against Almería. And the technician took the few measures that he can take. He brought in João Félix and Christensen, both named against Almería, and opted for Ferran Torres and Koundé. At least initially. In the rest of the eleven, logic prevailed without further inventions. De Jong returned after serving a game due to suspension and got along well with Sergi Roberto. The captain, always undervalued, was one of the few who managed to enter Canarian cuisine. One of the few who interpreted the game as much as possible. And the one who also assisted Ferran in the tying goal.
Cancelo and Balde occupied the right and left sides, their natural demarcations. Cancelo’s performance was brief and he ended up injuring his knee. It was precisely after one of Barça’s few incursions in the first half. While kicking the ball, the Portuguese collided with Perrone and lay down on the ground visibly in pain. Christensen entered. The Dane, with hardly any time to warm up, failed to cover Sandro Ramírez’s center and Munir vindicated himself against a slightly clever Iñaki Peña.
Barça tried to press. He tried a pass from Balde but Lewandowski was unable to finish off his good and precise cross. The Pole barely appeared with Vitor Roque witnessing the painful spectacle on the bench. – Let the reader know that he scored a great goal in the warm-up -. Ferran Torres also surpassed the defensive line but without being able to define. And Raphinha? Optimists will say that at least he worked for the team. Nothing new under the sun in the Barcelona forward line. The team did not even react when Sergi Roberto protested a clear grab by Mika Mármol. One more symptom of how the team is doing.
After the break, Joao Félix and Lamine Yamal warmed up because, despite the fights, Xavi has little else on the bench. Then in an almost comical play, not thought out and on the rebound, Ferran Torres scored the tying goal with the inside of his foot. Soft but enough. The optimists will say that at least Barça brought out their soul. Frenkie de Jong was encouraged later, raising, along with an attempt by Raphinha, Barcelona’s chances to three.
But the result needed to be finished. And Xavi made another decision. He changed Raphinha and also Lewandowski, who did not leave very happy. Lamine Yamal occupied the right wing and Ferran finished at nine. Exhausted, the canaries practically asked for the end. Mika Mármol had a glimpse of a goal in another new nap for Barça while Vitor Roque was preparing to make his debut with just four training sessions under his belt. The desperation was evident. Both of his shots were stopped by Alvaro Valles. Then came the miracle with Gündogan’s penalty. The result was undoubtedly the best for a team that this week must debut in the Copa del Rey against Barbastro and travel to Saudi Arabia to try to retain the title of Spanish super champion.
