The Barca He returned to solve a game with a landslide in a packed February. Dembeledespite starting from the bench, was the best of the game against Athletic, as he participated in three of the four goals. This is how the azulgranas have played this Sunday:
Ter Stegen: Spectator (6)
He had the best location to see the team’s third consecutive win. Athletic barely shot twice on goal and they were not complicated shots. It always comes in handy to add a clean sheet, but for him this year especially.
Serious in defensive tasks, in which he was not in trouble, in the offensive phase he is valuable for his intelligence. He knows that he must measure his forays down the flank and that he can be more valuable combining in the midfield as a midfielder.
In the first half the best chances came from his head. Two headers, the second of which ended in a rebound and a goal by Aubameyang. Back he suffered just enough. He saw a yellow card for stopping a rival who was leaving him and risked the second in a struggle with Iñaki Williams.
Without much work due to the docility shown by the ‘lions’, he emerged the winner of each duel that was raised. He less protagonist than other times in the rival area, where this time he was not needed.
He lacked precision in some centers, but it would be unfair not to point out his improvement compared to the first half of the season. He fulfilled more than enough, especially considering that he did not play in his natural band.
His work in midfield is priceless. He does not stop running while he is on the field, which helps his teammates and unhinges his rivals. Vigorous as always despite his size, he was substituted again after being cautioned.
Comfortable day for the captain. On the one hand because the rival barely put pressure on him, and on the other because his escorts, Gavi and Pedri, took over the reins of the match, emancipated as they already are.
A high-heeled pipe to Balenziaga sublimated another night without stain of the canary. The action, which culminated in a long pass to De Jong and a goal, earned him the acclaim of the stadium, but he did everything right, from not turning the ball over to managing the tempo of the game.
Despite the fact that every time he received two Athletic players they pounced on him, he signed a couple of overwhelming rides, physically powerful as he is. He lost prominence in the second half.
Aubameyang: Hooked (7)
He has fallen on his feet at Barça. Without playing a spectacular game, he did the most difficult thing: open the can. He guessed a rebound and, with a forced shot, put the three points on track. He was able to score another header.
Ferran Torres: jinxed (5)
The Valencian winger asks for it, he offers himself, he stands out… He participates in the game, he doesn’t hide, but the goal continues to resist him. A shot inside the area should have ended in a goal. When I break down the wall more should fall.
Substitutions
Frenkie de Jong: Fresh (7)
One of the victims in Xavi’s eleven, although half an hour was enough for him to recover from the substitution. He put speed into the match, and participated decisively in one of the goals.
Dembélé: Resolute (8)
He came out in ’67, whistled by the Camp Nou, but it may be the last time he hears whistles. He immediately scored a great goal with a tremendous whiplash, to which he added two assists. He earned the amnesty that Xavi had already granted him.
The Dutch striker returned to play after his injury and seems willing to vindicate himself as the team’s scorer. The first ball, a candy from Dembélé, sent it to the net.
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Luuk de Jong: Accurate (sc)
For a few weeks he dreamed of being Barça’s starting striker. Now it seems like an impossible dream, but it is clear that it is a replacement of guarantees. The others know that if they center balls there will be someone who will finish them off. He came out in the 87th minute and the first one he caught headed into the net.
The Barça youth player left in 1987, which normally means that there is little to do. However, he gave him time to celebrate two goals, the one from Luuk and the one from Memphis. Not everyone gets into the rotation.