In the previous Clasico, in October in the league, two goals were scored during injuries, but the neutral spectators did not really regret when they heard the final whistle. It was a very mediocre football show, and much more fascinating games were held throughout Europe that day. In Real’s 2: 3 yesterday (Wednesday) we watched a battle that went into overtime, but even after 120 minutes it was a bit of a shame that the show ended.
It was a Clasico on a completely different level, a Clasico that we all learned to love. Although this is a super-controversial super-cup semi-final on Saudi soil, the biggest encounter of Spanish football last night returned to its proper dimensions. He proved that it is possible to provide experience and drama even without Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. After a slight pause, the Clásico is alive and kicking again.
Mainly because Barcelona is alive and kicking. This time, Clasico was much more important to the Catalans. They lost in the previous four classic encounters, and were required to show that this competition is still relevant. More importantly, it was the first Clasico for Xavi as a coach, and one of his significant tests in general.
In the Champions League it did not go, and Barça were relegated to the Europa League after a zero-sum draw with a lot against Benfica and a defeat in Munich against Bayern. So far, he is dealing at the beginning of his term not only with the club’s very serious financial problems, but also with a plague of injuries. Yesterday, when Pedry and Anso Patti were at his disposal for the first time, it was possible to test how well his Barça are able to give Fayette on the big stage.
Pedry and Gabby are the future
And she did it. Real Madrid won 2: 3 in the end, but the Barça men felt it was a perfectly balanced game. “Tree or fly,” as Xavi put it in the concluding interview. In October, there was no doubt that Real’s victory was justified, but this time Barcelona felt they had not really given up.
After all, this is a relatively marginal degree, and prestige is more important. So statistically it would be recorded as a fifth consecutive loss in the Clásico, but in 90 minutes it ended in a 2: 2 draw, and the Catalans regained the lost honor. They restored their self-confidence, mostly proved to themselves that they were capable of coping, and prepared the ground for the near future.
Fran Torres is set to be a part of this future, even if the new acquisition from Manchester City looks very rusty in the premiere and has been replaced in the half. It’s too early to judge him for now. Another substitution at the end of 45 minutes was symbolic and much more important, as Frankie de Jong made way for Pedry.
Spain’s new diamond played for the first time in the Xavi era, and the Blaugrana’s midfield game was immediately upgraded. Pedri’s combination with Gabi is the best that Barcelona can offer, unequivocally – and its highest quality minutes were when they were both on the pitch. And if that is the case, then the status of the Dutchman is not at all certain.
You can sell Frankie de Jong
Barcelona must, of course, retain all the young local talent, but it must heal the club financially along the way, and Frankie is the most valuable asset that seems feasible. You can sell it now or in the summer, and get back 75 million euros invested in it, or maybe a little less.
This thought is frustrating, because on paper this is a player who fits Barça’s style like a glove, but he has been in retreat for the past year, and it would be a financial irresponsibility to keep him as just a rotation player. Currently, the Barça staff has priority options, and proper management requires particularly unpleasant decision-making.
Enso Patti also came back big, scoring just 17 minutes after replacing Locke de Jong. The tall Dutchman enjoyed a bit of luck when he scored himself in the first half without knowing too much about the ball that kicked his leg Adar Militau – if you will it was a great goal of a cone.
With Patty, Memphis and Torres fit for the roster, De Jong B will become irrelevant, but he is enjoying a nice personal Clasico for the first time in his career, if not counting the few minutes he got in October. Without him, Barcelona will return to look even better, and its youngsters will be stitched on the traditional 3-3-4 formation.
Vinicius on the way to becoming a superstar
On the Real side, a solid 3-3-4 has been working for a long time, and even yesterday he was efficient and brilliant. The Whites lost control of the center of the field for long minutes, and were at a disadvantage in many statistical parameters (ball possession, ball steals, goal kicks, victories in ball fights), but were still more dangerous in the bottom line.
They made good use of the space left by the opponent for explosive attacks, and enjoyed another phenomenal day of Vinicius continuing to upgrade at a dizzying speed to a real superstar. The Brazilian winger was the outstanding player in the previous Clasico, and can be awarded the award yesterday as well.
At the beginning of his career in Madrid, Vinicius would have missed opportunities wholesale, but in the last year he has been cold and deadly in front of goal – so even yesterday his first dangerous situation was translated into a ball in the net. He led the passing attacks, did a wonderful job without a ball, and reached his peak when he allowed Rodrigo’s wide ball to pass between his legs and reach Federico Valverda.
Why did he not kick himself? There is no knowing, but such moves are reserved for unexpected geniuses. He also confused Barça’s defense, and also gave the Uruguayan midfielder the chance to decide the match. After all, there is no player in Real who needs it more than he does.
Valverda always makes headlines in the Supercopa
Valverda is in a difficult situation – he is a legitimate player and deserves to start in the squad every week, but you should do it when Luca Modric, Tony Cross and Casimiro are ahead of you. After the injury last November, the little bird barely got minutes of play, and at 23 it starts to get problematic.
On the one hand, he must play more. On the other hand, leaving is out of the question because Modric and Cross will not stay there forever, nor will the loan really fit at this stage of a career. In short, at least a positive mood stimulus is needed, and the first rate since October 2020 has certainly been critical. This could be seen in a celebration that got out of hand, and it was not for nothing that all the members joined it – and Alvareda is a popular and beloved figure in the dressing room.
In general, Uruguayans are used to making headlines in the Supercopa. Two years ago, he was praised by fans when he “sacrificed himself” and was sent off for an offense that prevented a goal from Albero Murata in the 115th minute of the final against Atletico Madrid – and Real won on penalties. This time, his contribution was much more positive, and more so in the Clásico. He already has two career goals against the sworn Catalan rival. For comparison, Cross and Modric have one goal each in the Clásico.
And there was, of course, Karim Benzema too. Goal, cooking for Vinicius, kick to stand, cooking for Rodrigo in the 120th minute which miraculously did not become Real’s fourth goal – these are just the most notable actions of the legendary French striker who opened 2022 just as he finished 2021. Even at 34 he will remain one of the players The best in the world, and who knows – maybe the new year will brighten his face even more. Also thanks to him it was a great Clasico yesterday. More the better.
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