An unexpected hero brought victory to Barcelona. And before that, he “scored” 2 ridiculous goals.
Georgy Ilyushchenko December 20, 2023, 23:20 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Sergi Roberto vividly remembered himself in the match against Almería!
The last official match of the outgoing year with the last team in La Liga, Almería, scored only 5 points in 17 rounds! Even despite Barcelona’s problems, it should have been easy to get the three points today. In fact, the Catalans achieved victory, although they simply did not have it.
The Catalans’ starting lineup in the center looked very strange. De Jong went through cards and Pedri joined Gavi in the hospital, so the midfield trio remained: Roberto, Gundogan, López. Previously, Sergi had only played 189 minutes in the 2023/2024 league, and Firmin, 441. Thanks to Ilkay for being in the game, if Oriol Romeu had entered, Barça would have formed a dream team. The level of Getafe or Osasuna. Who would have thought that one of the reservists would bring results!
Another change was not forced: Xavi chose Christensen in defense instead of Kounde. It would be difficult for a Barcelona team like this against a rival of higher status than Almería; Let’s not forget Iñaki Peña, who replaces Ter Stegen for the seventh consecutive game, who has injured his back. But the worst team in the league confirmed its status.
During the first half, the maroon Barça team hit the Andalusian goal 15 times. Just for comparison: during the entire match against Valencia there were 16, and against Girona, 15. The Catalans should have scored several times (1.68 xG): Maximian was dragged by Lewandowski’s shot from about 11 meters and Roberto’s header from the spot. blank range. The Portuguese also held off Araujo’s goal after a corner kick from Gündogan, but Rafinha scored the final goal: 1-0.
Rafinha scores against Almería
Photo: Alex Caparrós/Getty Images
It looked like Barça would build on their success and win decisively for the first time since September. Instead, they relaxed and conceded at the end of the half. Araujo clumsily deflected a long pass from Almería and handed the ball to Arribas, who took advantage of the gift and sent a cutting pass to Baptistao. Despite Ronald’s mark, it was almost guaranteed offside, but the defender stuck out his leg to try to correct it. As a result, Leo caught the offside line perfectly, jumped one-on-one with Peña, and skillfully threw it over him. One moment, one goal. Catalans should learn the implementation from a stranger.
Episode of the Barcelona – Almería match, Araujo’s mistake
Photo: Transmission frame
At half-time, Xavi made a double change: he brought out the lost Félix and Christensen, who took the yellow card, releasing Kounde and Torres. The scenario of the first half was repeated: Barcelona pressed and created many chances: Ferran was able to score twice in the first minutes. The goal came from another corner: Raphinha gave a pass to Roberto, who did not forgive. However, the video replay showed that the corner was awarded in vain: the ball went out of the field through Balde’s foot, and not by the Almería player.
Apparently, Peña somehow found out and corrected the injustice: he went to intercept the center, collided with Araujo and dropped the ball. González could only roll towards the empty goal.
And yet, Barcelona snatched victory from him. Who scored the decisive goal? Roberto, and this is a double! Sergi responded to Lewandowski’s pass, ran behind the defenders and shot accurately. And in added time the Spaniard hit the crossbar! It seems that someone has played for a new contract: the current one ends in the summer.
In total, the Blaugranas took 30 shots at the Almeria goal. During the break, it will be necessary to urgently correct the implementation: Lewandowski will especially need help, who again missed a bunch of opportunities.
Why Lewandowski is disappointing:
Lewandowski went out at Barça due to a change of formation. The arrival of Ronaldo’s heir could put an end to him
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