Marcus Rashford and Barcelona show a blueprint for winning without Raphinha
Barcelona sure look like they’ve learned a lot since the devasting loss the last time they visited the Metropolitano.
They didn’t blow away Atlético Madrid on Saturday, but they managed their way through a chippy affair that could have turned sideways. Just the way Diego Simeone likes it.
Atleti had their chances. Antoine Griezmann in particular missed two wide open goals in the first half that could have put Barcelona against the ropes.
Luck was on the side of the Blaugrana in this one. Nico González earned his red card, after a disastrous first half in which Lamine Yamal ran the Argentinian out of the building. Gerard MartÃn, however, was fortunate to escape the same fate in the opening minutes of the second period.
From there, Atleti were more than comfortable sitting deep, and playing for a draw while playing down a man. Barcelona, on the hand, knew this was a massive opportunity to extend their lead over Real Madrid by an additional three points after their rivals capitulated to Mallorca earlier in the day.
It wasn’t a pretty game. Barcelona weren’t at their very best, but they were persistent, and eventually the game winner manifested, with João Cancelo banging down the door, and Robert Lewandowski fortuitously there to bring the win on home. The pragmatic approach to the game is just what was needed.
The big question coming in was whether the Blaugrana could count on Marcus Rashford while Raphinha is out.
Rashford wasn’t unstoppable, but he did the job. That’s all Hansi Flick is asking for. There’s a team of players surrounding him who have to do their part too.
The quick equalizer, in which Rashford combined with Dani Olmo, was an example of where the English international is the most dangerous. Not so much in picking up the ball and running past defenders, but in his ability to combine with teammates, and using them associatively to get in behind.
In addition to that, his set piece ability could be a real asset to Barcelona while Raphinha is out. Whether with free kicks, or from corners, Rashford has a unique ability on this team to deliver a lethal ball.
There really is a golden opportunity in front of Barcelona now.
La Liga is in their hands. They’ve proven that they are the favorites over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. Their likely opponent in the semi-finals, should they advance, is Arsenal, a team that continues to show vulnerabilities after an FA Cup crash out to Southampton.
Raphinha may be out, but there is cavalry arriving in the form of Gavi, Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, and Frenkie de Jong.
Most promising of all is what we’re seeing from Hansi Flick.
He’s making small, but significant, changes to his tactical approach. The defense isn’t rock solid, but they are less exposed than they were a month ago.
Going into the Champions League, that should give us all reason to believe that maybe, just maybe, Barcelona are ready for a deep run.
Source: barcablaugranes.com
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