2024-01-12 00:03:11
By Maël Chrétien
Published 18 minutes ago, Updated now
Lamine Yamal made history while Xavi lacked inspiration in his decisions. AFP / FAYEZ NURELDINE / REUTERS / JUAN MEDINA
TOPS/FLOPS – Barcelona and Osasuna, but especially Xavi did not offer us the same spectacle as Real and Atletico (5-3), far from it… find out what caught the attention of the editorial staff.
Tops
Lamine Yamal youngest scorer in the history of the Spanish Super Cup
He never stops beating them, another record for Lamine Yamal this evening. By scoring the Barcelona break goal, he became the youngest scorer in the history of the Spanish Super Cup. At the age of 16, the Spaniard scored the goal which reduced the Basque hopes to nothing and overall delivered an interesting performance. However, it was on the bench that he started the match, Xavi having preferred Raphinha. A few missed dribbles and 42 minutes later, the Brazilian leaves with an injury and gives way to the youth. So much the better, it’s a blessing in disguise since with Yamal we saw a real winger. The teenager remains a little tender in certain duels, but apart from that, we will especially remember his entry into the history books, because it is never too much to remember that he is only 16 years old.
Joao Felix a fait lie Xavi
This was already the case against Las Palmas in La Liga on January 4, Joao Felix sat on the substitutes’ bench before the match kicked off. Facing Osasuna’s low block, Xavi aligned Ferran Torres and Raphinha, instead of the Portuguese. The two starting wingers in the evening must be allergic to dribbling, given the lack of percussion brought to a position where it is supposed to be the main role. The number 14 enters just after the first Barcelona goal and the difference is felt immediately, we finally see real football. During the 30 minutes given to him, Felix did not stop making defenders waltz before finishing his match by offering an assist to the now youngest scorer in the history of the Spanish Super Cup. Xavi was the first witness to the Portuguese’s good performance, perhaps it will make him think before Sunday’s clasico.
Flops
Xavi responsible for lack of creativity
It’s a shame for the man who delighted us with the ball when he was a player for the great Barca. It seems that Xavi has his limits as a coach, and it’s a shame to realize that in a match against the 12th in La Liga. This has been going on for several months, and this was sometimes also the case last season, the club which advocates the beautiful game is no longer capable of producing it. Opposite it is not Real, nor Manchester City, it is Osasuna modest club from Spain, but when he finds himself facing low blocks Xavi does not find the solution. However, he has equipment, Joao Felix, Lamine Yamal and now Vitor Roque, all these thrilling players were on the bench at kick-off, since their coach decided to line up his most harmless attackers. As a result, possession was sterile and no call, no dribble was relevant or dangerous, before Joao Felix came into play. The observation is sad and the image rendered by his team is even sadder. It’s not a proposition, it’s a truth, Felix, Pedri and Lamine Yamal must start against Real on Sunday, otherwise it risks being complicated for the Blaugrana.
Lewandowski will not forget his match with his goal
Yes Lewandowski opened the scoring and allowed FC Barcelona to lead after 60 minutes of play, but no, he did not have a good match. No one is fooled, and so much the better if he managed to help his people despite his glaring shortcomings, but “Space» that we knew is no more. Unrecognizable, he posed very little danger in the Basque defense, before miraculously receiving the ball from a superb assist from Gündogan and masking his performance with a goal. The rest of the time, the Pole spent deserting the Osasuna centrals against whom he did not really exist, finding himself at the height of the defenders or even exiled on one side. We might think that he picks up to ask for balls, but he does not progress the game and never returns to the front in time when the ball passes to the attack. Meanwhile, Vitor Roque is patient and awaits his turn on the Catalan bench. But where has the real Robert Lewandowski gone?
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