Luis Enrique’s men only just managed to see off a confident and determined Gladbach side in Germany in their Champions League group stage game.
A young Gladbach side didn’t make it easy for the visitors, who were playing without their talisman Lionel Messi. They caught Barcelona off guard and surprised them with their direct and fast counter-attacking display, and their defensive organisation. It took Luis enrique and his men an entire half to collect their bearings and make appropriate changes before normal business resumed for the Catalan giants. Here are 5 talking points from Barcelona’s 1-2 victory against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Barcelona’s ‘Messi’ Attacking Play
The absence of the Argentinian international wasn’t expected to matter as much as it did. Messi had to be left out of the squad due to a groin injury suffered against Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona’s performance on the night showed just how much he was being missed upfront alongside Neymar and Suarez.
Barcelona created few clear-cut chances and lacked conviction in their attack. Luis Suarez and Neymar, for all their quality, couldn’t make up for Messi’s absence, and the South American duo were wonderfully marked by the Gladbach defence on the night. Though Barcelona did go on to win the game with Enrique’s substitutes doing the trick, it just goes to show Barcelona really need to be able to prepare for life without Messi, especially when they come up against strong opposition in Europe.
Rafina & Turan Turning Up
Enrique’s substitutions were the decisive moments of the game. The duo helped turn the game on its head with great attacking contributions, notably Arda Turan, who scored a wonderful right footed volley into the top corner. Rafinha, too, played a role in that move which eventually got the Turk on the score-sheet.
Besides the goal, their very presence on the pitch made life extremely difficult for the home side and Barcelona were beginning to look like their normal selves again. They retained most of the possession in the second half and the corner that was won, which resulted in Pique’s goal, was won on the right flank. Though they are yet to prove that they can step in for more than a third of the MSN, this performance wouldn’t do their confidence any harm. Rafinha has consistently been performing well this season, while Turan has managed to put last season’s troubles aside to start this one off brilliantly, much to the delight of the club and its fans.
The Chelsea Connection
Thorgan Hazard and Andreas Christensen can both look back at this match and give themselves a pat on the back for putting in brilliant individual displays on the night. Hazard’s tireless running to win back possession deep in his half and his confident and fearless attacking showed all the attributes of his more famous brother. He exuded confidence and led his attack by example, making numerous long range passes, showing off his great vision, footwork and close control, when he was closed down in tight spaces. The 23-year-old’s finish was a superb end to a brilliant counter attacking move by Die Fohlen and his performance epitomized his team’s first half performance. It was a deserved goal for their best player on the night. His performances this season have been extremely encouraging and Barcelona has been Gladbach’s biggest test so far. Thought they didn’t win, he did enough to make the Chelsea fans demand that their club activate his buy-back clause in December and should the Belgian continue these kind of performances, Antonio Conte could be tempted to give him a call.
Christensen is no stranger to rave reviews and high praise. Last season, he established himself as one of the best players in Gladbach team, and one of the best young defenders in the world. There were even rumours of Barcelona being interested. Chelsea fans were desperate to have him back, given their defensive issues this season and Gladbach were hinting at making the 2-year-loan into a permanent deal. As things stand, he is expected to return to Chelsea next season and be a part of the first team squad. With Ivanovic, Gary Cahill and David Luiz all underwhelming so far, the young Dane could walk into this team’s starting XI. The young soldier in Chelsea’s infamous ‘loan army’, as it has been termed by fans, Christensen is one of the few success stories. If there were any doubts about whether he could repeat last season’s great form, this game settles that. The Dane is set for a Chelsea future, and it’s one that can’t come soon enough for the fans.
Alcacer Yet To Adjust
After hunting around all of Europe for an able striker to add to their ranks, who could step in for the MSN and reduce the goal scoring burden, they eventually settled for Valencia’s Paco Alcacer. But things haven’t gone too well for the Spaniard after his €40 million move to the Nou Camp. The 23-year-old forward is yet to impress a month into his Barcelona stay. Even though it is too early to write off his career with the Catalan giants, performances like these won’t do him any favours.
The lack of confidence in his game was clear, and the difference in the tone of the game after the introduction of Rafinha in his place even more so. In his defence, he was played on the wings, with Suarez upfront in what was an uncharacteristic Barcelona formtation. Alcacer is a ‘number 9’ or a central striker, and that is a position which Luis Suarez has complete control over. There is nobody in world football who can do it better than the Uruguayan and one assumes that Alcacer would be fully aware of that. Perhaps Luis Enrique will allow the Spaniard more game time in his natural position and give him a chance to impress, but only time will tell whether the Catalans end up regretting the amount of money they spent on him.
A Near Perfect Pique Performance
Besides the penalty that he almost conceded early in the first half, it was an almost flawless performance from the Spaniard. Pique put in a superb shift in defense and saved his side on numerous occasions. A natural leader, he organized his defence and was brilliant in one-on-one situations. Javier Mascherano isn’t going through his best form at the moment and he is yet to hit top gear, which makes Pique’s form even more crucial for Barcelona. Besides his exploits in defence, the Spanish international scored Barcelona’s winner, thanks to some great positioning, awareness, a sleeping Jan Sommer and some sheer determination. There doesn’t seem to be anything he can’t do at the moment.
