The primary leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal for Barcelona was – one that’s higher off erased from the minds of gamers and followers.
Taking a 0-4 hammering within the recreation on the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Barcelona not solely nearly gave away their Copa del Rey hopes but additionally took the momentum off their aspect.
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They now proceed their run on the highway to face Girona later tonight – an opponent who’s winless in three video games.
That stated, nevertheless, Barcelona too enter on a psychological low and shall be weak within the opening section of the sport.
Barça Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Girona vs Barcelona.
Classes to be learnt
If there may be one recreation that Barcelona should mirror on deeply and be taught from their errors, it’s certainly their latest defeat to Atletico Madrid.
As confidently, his males had been merely not up for the duty midweek and put up a present that was far inferior to what Los Rojiblancos put up.
Barcelona have to get again to successful methods. (Photograph by Angel Martinez/Getty Photos)
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Fingers may be pointed at exterior components, however the reality stays that the Catalans didn’t deserve any lead or win on the evening.
Barcelona had been outplayed by Atletico Madrid on the evening, who pressed with intent, ardour and a deep drive to win. Flick’s aspect, nevertheless, was gradual and torpid and at all times got here out second-best within the half-chances.
Neither was the crew’s press on the evening coordinated and relentless, nor was the defence cohesive in any method. Particular person errors throughout the sector solely worsened the state of affairs for them and noticed them concede 4 objectives in 45 minutes.
Classes, at this level, need to be learnt and will probably be attention-grabbing to see how the crew reply after dealing with such a humiliation within the cup.
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If the crew is motivated sufficient and takes the defeat the suitable manner, they need to come out with extra want to undo their errors and play their hearts out tomorrow with dominance.
The captain returns
Raphinha will return towards Girona. (Photograph by Judit Cartiel/Getty Photos)
The Barcelona supervisor made it very clear within the pre-game convention that he noticed Raphinha as the most effective participant on the earth for final season, and thus made it clear that the crew may be very totally different with and with out the Brazilian.
In spite of everything, the crew’s depth undeniably falls with out his management, and it’s no shock that each one however one of many crew’s defeats this season got here when he was not within the squad.
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Raphinha has been out because the recreation towards Albacete, and the supervisor determined to not threat and rush him again for the sport towards Atletico Madrid midweek. He’s, nevertheless, cleared now and .
For sure, this comes as huge information for the supervisor’s plans and for Barcelona and Lamine Yamal.
His presence, in any case, provides dynamism, tempo, good ending and management – all of which Barcelona are in dire want of.
It’s unlikely that Raphinha begins, however he’ll come off the bench fairly early, on condition that Marcus Rashford is just not out there, and will probably be attention-grabbing to see how lengthy the supervisor deems him match to play for.
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A doable change at full-back
If there may be one division that significantly let the crew down midweek, it was the full-back place.
Whereas it’s certainly true that the complete crew performed exceedingly poorly, it was Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde who had been uncovered and left red-faced time and time once more.
Will Joao Cancelo begin? (Photograph by Alex Caparros/Getty Photos)
The duo had merely no solutions to Atletico Madrid’s pacey wingers, counterattacks and dynamic dribbling.
At this level within the season, one is pressured to surprise if Flick should get thinking about alternate setups.
Balde has been fairly good for the crew in latest weeks, and one of many causes he was uncovered the best way he was midweek was that the crew didn’t have a pure winger so as to add depth on the left flank.
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With no attacking menace up extensive, Balde was pressured to overstep in assault and was left compromised on the again.
Kounde’s case, nevertheless, is totally totally different as he has appeared like a shadow of his former self all season.
Flick does belief him, however one is pressured to surprise if it’s time to contemplate a change within the division, no less than in the interim.
Joao Cancelo is an choice to start out instead of Kounde tomorrow and will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Flick sees the Portuguese worldwide as a viable choice on that entrance no less than.
The Frenchman, in any case, may use some relaxation and area for a psychological reset.
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Balde, in the meantime, necessitates repositioning greater than being changed and will thus begin at left-wing if Raphinha doesn’t begin.
In that manner, he can perform his assault play whereas having the likes of Gerard Martin caring for defence – thus distributing duties for higher outcomes.