Expecting a left hook, only to get hit with an uppercut

-Sagar Follow @Sagar_m10

It was setup for Bilbao actually. After an embarrassing outing just 3 days back, Bilbao were ready to exact revenge, and were in the perfect position to do so, since Barca were without Messi, Suarez, and Alba.

Enrique had a little dilemma on his hands. Without three of his most important pieces, he had to make this Barca tick, and enable them to win against Bilbao at San mames, which was no easy feat. Barca struggled to get a result against them whilst having MSN on the pitch. And so, the lineup game began.

Lucho went with ‘Stegen- Alves Pique Mascherano Roberto- Rakitic Busquets Iniesta- Arda Munir Neymar’.

Sergi Roberto was once more subjected to a new position, and he took up that challenge and exceeded expectations. Once again. There was skepticism before the match, because although he has played as a RB, it’s easier for him to do so, as right is his preferred foot, but, playing at LB would provide him with some difficult challenges. But, he didn’t let it faze him, as he shut down the left side with his pace and positioning.

Enrique keeps putting faith in him, and he keeps rewarding that faith with splendid performances, and not just him. The midfield, and especially Arda, was in an inspired form in the first half. Him and Rakitic combined really well on the right side and were the two most instrumental players in controlling the game, and setting up the first goal.

The first goal caught everyone by surprise. Including Barca. Bilbao had asserted their domination on the match till then, and had not let Barca have any kind of a clear-cut chance, but, like a counter from a curled up opponent, it hit them, and hit them hard. Arda drew three defenders to him, and launched the ball to Rakitic in acres of space. Rakitic in turn, did not waste time as he curled in an early-cross. Munir sprung, with a new vigor that was not seen this season, and slotted the ball home. 1-0.

That brought the Bilbao team out into the open and they tried to pressure Barca even more. And then they self-destructed. A ‘slip’ from the entire team. As a failed interception, led to a mix-up between the goalie and another defender, and Neymar was left staring at an open goal. Just like that, Bilbao found themselves 2-0 down at home. Bilbao then harried and scurried. They went in for challenges, played hard, and showed their ferocity and intent. They had to get something out of this match.



The second half saw Bilbao and Barca play less football, and instead went about gambling with the referee. It was Gonzales Gonzales, who has been heavily criticized recently for some of his highly questionable decisions. Bilbao pressed high, and pressed hard. They pressured Alves and Mascherano. They targeted them, and always looked to be on top of them. They kept at it, and yet, Barca were surviving the siege on this side.

Finally, it paid off in the dying moments, as Bilbao capitalized on an Alves pass and scored. 2-1.

Stegen then called upon his inner Kahn, as he made 2 amazing saves, to keep Barca’s lead intact.

FT.

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The Midfield:

Iniesta was booed, kicked, pulled, pushed, and brought down. He still had the ball at the end of it all. Nuff said! Rakitic and Arda are striking up an amazing understanding, and linked up really well. Rakitic has shown tremendous improvement recently, and it coincides perfectly with Arda being available. Competition eh? Busquets ofcourse, cut a composed figure in the midst of it all. He almost exuded a Xavi aura, as he calmed things down, and let Barca breathe. The midfield, this season, has grown in confidence, and is once again becoming relevant to Barcelona.

Iniesta was booed, kicked, pulled, pushed, and brought down. He still had the ball at the end of it all. Nuff said! Rakitic and Arda are striking up an amazing understanding, and linked up really well. Rakitic has shown tremendous improvement recently, and it coincides perfectly with Arda being available. Competition eh? Busquets ofcourse, cut a composed figure in the midst of it all. He almost exuded a Xavi aura, as he calmed things down, and let Barca breathe. The midfield, this season, has grown in confidence, and is once again becoming relevant to Barcelona. Plan B?

There were many instances when Arda was more of a wide midfielder than a RW. Barca almost played a 4-4-2 with a slightly wide forward on the left, which was Neymar. It worked to an extent, as they played out fast paced build-up in the first half. They could not however, keep that up in the second half as Bilbao turned up a gear, and went the way of physicality, rather than technique. It did work for them in the end, but not before shooting themselves in the foot by giving Barca so many stoppages and freekicks.

There were many instances when Arda was more of a wide midfielder than a RW. Barca almost played a 4-4-2 with a slightly wide forward on the left, which was Neymar. It worked to an extent, as they played out fast paced build-up in the first half. They could not however, keep that up in the second half as Bilbao turned up a gear, and went the way of physicality, rather than technique. It did work for them in the end, but not before shooting themselves in the foot by giving Barca so many stoppages and freekicks. Bilbao’s downfall?



Did not having Messi, and Suarez help Barca in the end? Probably. Bilbao identified their threat. Neymar on the left, and they marked him down. They cut down all the passing routes for him, and locked up tight. And then they let Arda and Rakitic have their way on the right. It was also pretty evident, seeing as Alves was among the players to have the most touches in the game. It all went through him from the back, in the MF, and in attack.

Through Alves, on the right.

For better or for worse, he used everything he had in his arsenal to bypass Bilbao. It payed off at times, and it didn’t in others. He is a ‘high risk-high reward’ kinda guy afterall.

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Stegen kept Barca in the front seat. Some might say he went down easily for the Aduriz goal, but if it wasn’t for him, the tie would be a different affair altogether.

Complimenting him in his solid performance was Pique. He got to every ball that was up in the air, and headed it clear. When he turns up, there is no stopping him. Rather, he stops everything. Mascerano was suspect of some bad positioning, but used his pace well to cover at the back.

The midfield? Told a lot about them already. Not a foot wrong.

Neymar was not offered any kind of breathing space. Bilbao players really have it against him. From subtle jabs to blatant challenges to studs scraping his head. Bilbao players hate him, and he was at the receiving end of some cruel punishment of his own. The ref missed them all. Obviously. He still got a goal though.

Munir once again turned up at Copa. It looks like he loves this tournament. He pressed, got his body between ball and players, won free-kicks, and even tried an audacious long-range chip. He seems to be gaining in confidence. His way of telling Barca to give up on Nolito?

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Overall, this was a match that Barca were going to struggle with. They did too, but not before throwing in a sucker punch (two of them), and denting Bilbao’s chances at redemption. This was their best chance, and they squandered it.

Messi, Suarez, and Alba are vital to Barca, and it’s very obvious recently as to how important Alba is to that left side. Missing him for 10 days was a huge blow for Barca.

Lucho rose to the challenge, threw in Roberto, Arda, Munir, and Vidal, and then asked them to go play. The results are out.

Barca took all the punches, waited for their chance, and struck. They were efficient with their chances, and came out on top. Bilbao are never easy and you never know when they will throw a wrench in a smoothly running machine. So, even if Barca have MSN on their team-sheet next week, they better watch out. Maybe third time’s the charm for Bilbao?

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Bilbao

Questionable display: Iago (C-): Horrible blunder in the build up to the second goal. Although, he couldn’t have done much to stop the first goal. Had that mistake been avoided, maybe Bilbao would have faired a better chance in the second leg.

Best: Aduriz (B): Naughty Aduriz, stepped up when the football part of the game came calling. He made some sharp movements, and slick passes in many of the build-ups. He was always looking to open up spaces with his post play and one-touch passing. He was finally rewarded with a goal to keep Bilbao’s hopes alive.

Barca:

Questionable display: Alves (B-): Honestly, he didn’t put a foot wrong, bar a few instances which were few and far in between, but sadly, one of them led to a goal. All the attacks, and possession went through him, and he was instrumental, but again, his gamble this time around didn’t pay off.

Best: Iniesta (A-): Someone, stop this man. Anyone? Get the damn ball off his feet! …..Nope. He turned in that performance again, the kind that makes you think if there is any friction between his feet and the grass. How is he gliding over it? Why is the ball stuck to his feet? Yeah. It’ll forever be a mystery.

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