perfect little hand Barça in Champions. Not even by putting the coach behind them, for 90 minutes, the Swiss Young Boys could not stop the hungry team from Hansi Flick. For young people and for boys, ours. In the headline, Cubarsi, Bucket and Lamine Yamalvery consolidated. Plus one Marc Casado that, if he continues like this, it won’t take him long to reach the national team. Then he entered Hector Fort, debuted Paul Victor in the Champions League, he debuted Andres Cuenca in the first team and reappeared Ansu Fati in Montjuic. The last time we saw him at home, we were still living at the Camp Nou. Big ovation and better news. On the bench, in addition, there was another collection of young people knocking on the door: Astralaga, Yaakobisvili, Sergi Domínguez, Gerard Martín, Pablo Torre, Guille Fernández and Toni Fernández. Next to nothing.
Of course, the first goal was scored by the greatest of all. The specialist Lewandowski opened the can again, culminating one of the best goals of the season. The way to dismantle such a closed defense? Combine on the first touch and that’s how they did it Married, Ferran, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski. Five perfect touches, five perfect unmarkings and the Pole’s easy goal on the goal line. The second oldest, Iñigo Martínezscored his first goal in the Barça. Another good news that came thanks to his typical play, with a header, beating his rivals from set pieces. From another good headshot of Inigothe fourth of the Barçaagain from Lewandowski on the goal line.
Between the youngest and the oldest, four names that were the real protagonists. The captain Raphinha marked and was chosen, on his own merits, the MVP of the win. Pedriwith the ‘8’ of Iniestahe got tired of handing out candy, as if he wanted to pay tribute to that Don Andres who will announce that he is leaving football at 40. De Jongat 27, returned to play for Barça after many months injured. The stand of Montjuic He was received as he deserved: thunderous applause to cover many mouths. And finally, Iñaki Peña. The Alicante goalkeeper already had the magnifying glass on him Szczesny in the box A chore. The night, however, went perfectly. He did not have to touch the ball and, when the rival shot at goal, he saved him Marriedthe pole or the VAR. Of course, so that happiness was complete, an anthological parade of Iñaki Peña in the 93rd minute, in the last breath of the game.
Perfect result for the new and exciting format of Champions. The scores in favor, as a final tie-breaking factor, are stimulating many victories. Better for the viewer. In Europe there can no longer be dosage.
I LIKED IT
Xavi Pascual, close to winning the World Cup
Much has been written about the way to get out of Barçain the last three years, of myths like Messi, Koeman, Xavi either Jasikevicius. Of the Guillermo Amor, Jordi Roura or Xavi Paschal Much less is said, but Barcelona fans do not forget the lack of “finesse” of the current misgovernment when it comes to dismissing them. Yesterday, in Egypt World Cup handball, Xavi Pascual He reminded us what a great coach he is. And, the painful thing, even for a culé like him, must have been doing it at the cost of a Barça which sank in extra time (34-39). He Veszprem Hungarian, then, will play the final of the Club World Cup while the Barçain the filming phase, once again gave the sand in a competition that seems flawed. And yesterday, those of Carlos Ortega They were almost always in tow. He Barça trailed by 4 at the start of the second half, they tied and, with 20 seconds left, the infallible Aleix Gomezthe best of the culés in the match against Veszpremhe missed the penalty that classified the Barça for the final. In extra time, another exculé recovered by Pasquias Cindricwas the hero of the Hungarians, in a painful ending for Barça. We have the consolation that Ludovic Fabregas, Cindric and Xavi Pascual They can choose to win the great world title. Hopefully.
I DIDN’T LIKE IT
Szczesny, the third retiree in 125 years
It’s already here. The goalkeeper who is coming to fill in for the injured has already arrived and passed his medical check-up. Ter Stegen. The Polish Wojciech Szczesnyretired from football hastily, a year before ending his contract with the Juventusis the first retired footballer who will have a record with the Barça. However, he is not the first player to wear the Barça shirt after retiring. There are two previous cases, according to what he tells me. Jordi Masone of the people who know the most about the history of Barça. He tells me that in the glorious 1973-74 season, before the debut of Cruyffthe coach Rinus Michels had to line up the retired goalkeeper Gert Balsin a preseason friendly match, having the two members of the squad injured. Already in the 21st century, in Barça of Joan Gaspartand also in a friendly match, the team fielded the Thai Joe Moraslipin a match during the summer tour. The two of them were never heard from again. Neither bals neither Moraslipunlike Szczesnythey were never part of the staff of the Barça. Of course, their experience and their photos remained safe for the archives… of their respective families.
BAD MILK
1. The worst thing about the third kit Barça premiered in Pamplona It wasn’t the stridency of the pistachio green, but even the logo of Nike was going vertically. The never seen. A great brand mistreating its own logo, hanging itself upside down.
2. Hansi Flick loses his first game in Pamplonahe declares himself guilty and, suddenly, some locker room images of the Barça of Xavi scolding his players for not moving. Chance? I don’t think so. The campaign does not stop.
3. Jorge Mendes already represents the interests of Adam Qaroualthe 12-year-old boy from the Masia. How many years will it take for football players’ agents to work with ultrasounds?
4. Are the post-match applause from the footballers to the most radical stands sincere gratitude or are they a revolutionary tax?
5. Boadilla del Monte. Julian Alvarezthe Argentine star of the Athletichas rented the semi-detached house where, years ago, they were Barbara Rey and the king. Let’s see if the ‘spider’ is going to find the cobwebs of the relationship. Or, better yet, the famous bedroom tapes.