There definitely was a certain buzz around the Barca fanbase after two consecutive 5-0 wins. It seemed we could do no wrong and whoever was given the opportunity would absolutely grab it with both hands and smother it!
And then came Celta Vigo. And with that came the return of "Xavi's Hypertension Ball!" But not really quite. We played really bad the first half. With Alonso on the field our left flank is quite non functional. And it was evident how dynamic we can be as soon as alonso was taken off the pitch and Balde came on. So much so that the crunch winning goal was created from the left flank. We really need another left back. We can not keep going back to Alonso ball every other game.
Okay so why do I say Hypertension ball is not quite back, even after we went down by two goals?
If this was last season we would have never been able to win from 1 goal down. The fans would have given up at half time when we were down by a goal. But yesterday at half time that thought didn't even cross my mind, I wasn't even expecting a draw. I was fully expecting to win at the half time break. But pretty quickly in the second half we were two goals down and only then did the feelings of the game being lost was starting to creep in.
And yet we had hopes for scalping out a draw.
Starting with 3 center backs in the second half seemed innovative. But then taking Christiensen off for Balde seeemd so bizarre. We were effectively reduced to 2 defenders because Balde is strictly designed to play the left full back and not as an attacking minded center half. But his runs down the left eventually proved quite vital.
Ferran Torres had a bad day with two uncharacteristically open chances missed. He could have taken the spotlight yesterday, and I am sad he didn't. This could have made his starting spot claim stronger, would have done his confidence a whole lot of good - a confident Ferran is a dangerous Ferran!
Celta Vigo players kept running behind our defence like hot knife through butter, and had it not been for the heroics from oriol romeu, multiple times, this could have been a very embarrassing defeat. ONLY 3.5 million, jeez!
Lewandowski's Opening Goal!
If you have to show a goal to teach young players what a "Striker's Instinct" means, this is the goal you show.
Joao Felix's lob into the box was perfectly measured but it was a lobbed in ball amd Lewa could not allow time for the ball to come down because the goalkeeper was going to get it if he waited. So instead he had to go upward to make the connection - just delicate enough to loft it over the keeper's head. A beautiful Felix assist!
Aspas's substitution seemed to break Celta's rhythm.
Aspas was the guy who was linking everything for Celta. They had almost everyone defending, and yet every time they broke on the counter to attack, they were easily having number up there to cause trouble in the Barca box. And it was all down to the genius on Aspas.
Don't Fall in Love with a Loan Player!
Joao Cancelo had a rather abysmal game but for Lewandowski's second goal, he did exactly the type of things he was brought in to do. He popped into a tight space and completely blind sided the Celta defenders to receive the ball in behind before slotting in a pitch perfect pass Lewa's way which, when Lewa is firing on all cylinders, was not going to miss!
And just minutes later, he did the other thing he was brought in to do! Running in behind the defense and score a goal!
They tell me to not fall in love with a loan player!
The player in question 🥲
Gavi is stepping up!
The assist from Gavi here shows what a genius footballing brain this kid is, and why is is compared to the likes of Iniesta. Gavi receives a lot of hate from Real madrid fans - "foul merchant," "passion merchant," "what does Gavi even do!" Well, That's what Gavi actually do! He is soon becoming THAT player for the oppositions - their monster under the bed, the player who you do not see much if you watch the game, but if you closely watch Gavi, you see the match! Sounds familiar?!
He needs to keep this up though. With Frenkie de Jong out until November, notably missing El Classico, we really really need Gavi to maintain his level. Hoping for Pedri to be back to his best before the showdown at the el classico.
But one thing is for certain, Barcelona's midfield depth is going to be heavily tested in the coming days. Two of our first choice midfielders are out. Gundogan has his own injury issues. Romeu and Gavi has played most of the games so far. So very likely we will not be playing as well and beautiful in the next month and we fans should be okay with it.
João Cancelo said something very important at the end yesterday: “It is better to play poorly and win, than to play well and lose.”