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Barcelona locked horns in opposition to UD Barbastro final night time within the Spherical of 32 of the Copa del Rey and lots of anticipated a hard-fought conflict as the 2 sides dished out the final time they performed in opposition to one another.
In contrast to final season, nonetheless, the sport was removed from aggressive as Barcelona comfortably took residence the win by a 4-0 scoreline.
Robert Lewandowski, Pablo Torre and Eric Garcia had been on the scoreboard for Barcelona within the must-win recreation and helped the Catalans advance to the Spherical of 16 of the knockout competitors.
Most significantly, nonetheless, the consequence broke Barcelona’s streak of two losses in a row and offers them much-needed momentum forward of the Spanish Tremendous Cup.
Barça Common brings you three speaking factors from UD Barbastro 0-4 Barcelona.
The best begin
Barcelona made a robust begin to the brand new yr. (Picture by Octavio Passos/Getty Pictures)
The win in opposition to Barbastro final night time was the staff’s first recreation of the brand new yr and to kick it off with a win, for sure, was the dream state of affairs.
The consequence final night time, nonetheless, has implications far past Barcelona’s mere development into the subsequent spherical for the staff was in dire want of positivity after how their 2024 ended.
Barcelona had been on an plain droop within the closing months of 2024 and closed it off within the worst manner potential with back-to-back defeats in opposition to Leganes and Atletico Madrid.
Their poor performances not solely noticed their lead in La Liga slowly slip away but in addition gifted it to Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid and it was all going awry for Hansi Flick.
For his staff to come back again after the Christmas break and dish out a dominant 4-0 consequence in opposition to Barbastro within the method wherein they did final night time, thus, is an enormous constructive.
Barcelona didn’t battle at any level within the night time, had been in full management of the proceedings and created likelihood after likelihood in opposition to the hosts. And whereas their opponents had been certainly a struggling fourth-division aspect, each little bit of confidence helps.
An evening of debuts
Toni Fernandez made his senior staff debut. (Picture courtesy: FC Barcelona official web site)
Flick’s lineup at Estadi Municipal Deportes Barbastro featured two new names who haven’t featured this season – Wojciech Szczesny and Ronald Araujo, each of whom loved robust debuts to the season.
The goalkeeper, who signed for Barcelona mid-season as an emergency alternative for Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, was dependable in his distribution and confirmed a robust need to show his price.
He was not examined a lot by Barbastro’s forwards and didn’t have a lot shot-stopping to show, however his potential on the ball was spectacular and he was calm in possession.
Araujo, in the meantime, had a busier night time throughout the sphere. At no level within the recreation did it seem that the Uruguayan had been off the sphere for six months.
He began the conflict and accomplished the 90 minutes with none signal of bodily discomfort. His passing vary was spectacular, his decision-making on level and his bodily presence imposing.
In 90 minutes, the captain didn’t have an entire lot of defending to do however proved himself to be a severe hazard in set-pieces. In reality, he even racked up an help for Eric Garcia’s opener.
A 3rd debutant made his manner later within the night time – the proficient Toni Fernandez from the academy – and the teen regarded like a vibrant spot in his quick cameo with assured forays and passing vary.
Pablo Torre deserves extra
Pablo Torre was on the scoresheet once more. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
Whereas Barcelona had been in full management throughout the sphere, essentially the most spectacular participant within the garnet-and-blue was Pablo Torre.
Granted a begin on the night time, the teen performed within the attacking midfield function and shone brightly in Barcelona’s buildup and possession part.
The younger phenom discovered the best passing shops, broke the defence along with his creativity and barely put a step fallacious and his numbers show what a difference-maker he was.
Torre racked up the help for each of Robert Lewandowski’s objectives in opposition to Barbastro and the second help was significantly spectacular as he took a deft contact to set the Polish star free in entrance of purpose.
He then discovered himself on the proper place on the proper time to capitalise on a free move by the opposition goalkeeper and earn a purpose for himself as nicely.
Over the 81 minutes he shone on the sphere, Torre racked up a staggering six key passes and accomplished 100% of his crosses and 83% of his passes.
With Dani Olmo’s registration now unclear and Fermin Lopez trying off form, Torre deserved extra prominence within the coming days. He might show instrumental within the coming months.
