2023-12-17 00:07:14
Barça started by failing in defense and depending on Iñaki Peña to avoid losing like they did against the Belgians. It seemed like a joke, a joke about Xavi. The team as a whole is unfortunate, as they were left protesting an out of bounds, and this substitute goalkeeper is prodigious as usual, making Ter Stegen forgettable. Under normal conditions this Valencia would not have to be a problem for Barça. In Xavi’s current state, any rival is a giant.
Valencia:
Mamardashvili; Thierry, Diakhaby, Mosquera, Vázquez (Yarek, min.81); Pepelu, Guillamón, Fran Pérez (Amallah, min.73); Yaremchuk (Canós, min.62), Diego López (Foulquier, min.81) and Hugo Duro (Marí, min.81).
Barcelona:
Iñaki Rock; Cancelo, Araujo, Conund, Bucket; Pedri, De Jong, Gündogan (Yamal, min.81); Raphinha, Lewandowski and Joao Felix (Ferran, min.73).
Goals:
0-1, min.55, Joao Felix. 1-1, min.70, Guillamón.
Referee:
Ortiz Arias (C. Madrid). He cautioned Fran Pérez (min.65) for Valencia. And De Jong (min.77), Cancelo (min.79) at Barça.
Incidences:
Former Valencia player David Silva took the kick-off before the match.
Lewandowski had something, but nothing more. The moment they touched him he was left lying on the floor, like an older man who, to impress girls, makes the kind of efforts that the doctor had advised against.
First minutes evenly matched between two minor teams. Valencia was trying to overwhelm a scared Barcelona. The team that finished the least in the League had finished three times during the first quarter of an hour. Koundé’s inaccuracies, too many defensive concessions. Lewandowski tried again, this time from 25 meters. Pedri joined the muddy festival with the type of unforced loss of the ball that irritates Xavi so much.
Round trip match beyond expectations. Mestalla without reason claimed a penalty from Raphinha on Pepelu. Lewandowski was very determined, but without success. Barça began to flow in attack, without great fanfare, but doing something more than the ridiculous thing he did in Antwerp. This small improvement must be put in the context of an opponent who had added only one point in the last twelve.
Lewandowski finished with a half-spoon but the local goalkeeper was better. After the failed feat, Pole touched his ass and looked at Xavi. Barça created spaces and it seemed that the goal was getting closer. Pedri shot over the crossbar. The goal was resisted, which would be bad luck against City but was worrying against such a minor rival. Overwhelming defensive errors with Raphinha as the special protagonist. Valencia suffered but did not give up and when they had their way they exposed the visiting defense. Barcelona was lucky with the few local resources, which created fewer chances but more of a sense of danger.
No continuity in the game, no individual talent, no distinguishable light that illuminated the general mediocrity. Rough football, unpleasant to watch. Terrible first minutes, then a Barça that was more comfortable running than in static attacks improved. The team was a little better, each player a little better, but without being able to separate it from the low demands of the evening.
Barça returned from the break like a small-time merchant arrived with his mule to the market centuries ago. The man was very honest, very dear to the purpose of supporting his family, but with his products without any grace and his huge benefits. Once again the exchange of blows without light, expectations that were stillborn. Without rhythm, without efficiency. Gundogan failed like Lewandowski failed. Maybe Xavi would be satisfied on his bench – if he was on Wednesday, anything – but the sadness that the team transmitted was total and absolute.
Joao Félix’s third goal in five games
In the midst of discouragement Raphinha and Joao Felix They put their team ahead, the Portuguese’s third goal in five games. Strange celebration, which made everyone doubt if he would really get on the scoreboard. The night became affordable for Barça and a 0-2 score was much more plausible than a draw.
The worst thing about sinking a company or a human group as Laporta has done with his management and practices since he became president again is that everyone becomes so demoralized that any mediocrity, any misery seems enough and the level of demand and low pressure so low to the ground that we can’t even see it. For a team like Barcelona or Madrid, for large companies or people who want to give some meaning to their existence, it is dramatic when this happens because ambition is lost and therefore the possibility of achieving greatness. Celebrating Saturday’s match as a meritorious achievement for Barça, or simply as a progression in their game is a desire to deceive oneself and the realization that any piece of bread is enough to satisfy the hungry.
In case anyone was tempted to do it Valencia tied with a good shot from Guillamón, who would not have been able to shoot without the collaboration and gift of Xavi’s defense, who put a rug on him. Ferran replaced Joao Félix. One of his good assists was missed by Raphinha alone against Mamardashvili.
It was incredible that Barcelona had allowed itself to be tied in a match that, despite its inanity, it had perfectly controlled with a cornered Valencia that didn’t even tickle it. However The tie reflected the current moment of the players, the team, the coach and the president. They are all the same debacle. Until an Arab comes and pays and stays with the club, just as Laporta has always planned.
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