Date - 10/03/2018
Stadium - La Rosaleda ( Malaga )
Barca travelled to Malaga for the clash (or is it?) between the first placed team in La Liga and the 20th placed team. Lionel Messi missed the game due to personal reasons, but the team didn't miss Messi one bit.
First 45 minutes
All the damage was done for Malaga in the first half. Five minutes on Malaga keeper Roberto saved a shot from Suarez that was intended for the left bottom corner. 10 minutes later Alba gave a very Alba-like cross in and Suarez
nearly headed it in. Precisely 13 minutes later, Dembele came thundering into the box, did a fake and gave a left footed pass to Philippe Coutinho who tapped it in with his right heel. A couple of minutes later Manu Garcia was given a direct red after a clumsy challenge on Jordi Alba.
Second 45 minutes
Barca pressed more this time. Even though they could not convert, it has to be said that they were playing well. Coutinho took numerous shots but could not find the back of the net. Dembele also took a strong shot which landed in keeper Roberto's hands.
Peep Peep Peeeeeep !
Line up :
Ter Stegen, Roberto( Gomes ), Pique, Umtiti, Alba( Digne ), Rakitic, Busquets, Paulinho, Dembele( Vidal ), Suarez, Coutinho
Player ratings
1. Ter Stegen 7/10
Didn't have to do much but was always alert.
2. Roberto 5.5/10
Was mostly fighting for possession. Not too effective.
3. Pique. 6/10
Played a very silent game and wasn't needed too much.
4. Umtiti. 7.5/10
Was very active and didn't allow Malaga to do much.
5. Alba. 6.5/10
Was very important for the attack. Provided Suarez the assist for the first goal.
6. Rakitic. 7/10
He was probably the best midfielder. He tried to have a couple of shots on goal but both were unsuccessful.
7. Busquets. 6/10
He lacked concentration at some points, but no major mistakes.
8. Paulinho. 6.5/10
He was very active throughout the game. But a few passes went wrong for him and those completely stopped the attacking runs.
9. Dembele. 9/10
His best performance so far in a Barca shirt. He was constantly helping in building up the attack and also helped the defence once in a while. Provided the assist to Coutinho for the second goal.
10. Suarez. 8/10
Was very effective in the first half. He looked very sharp and quick. But that died out in the second half as he struggled to find space in the box.
11. Coutinho. 10/10
Was definitely the best Barca player of the day. The absence of Messi helped him to play his natural game. He scored with his back heel in the first. In the second half he took many Coutinho-like shots but couldn't find the back of the net.
Visca el Barca !
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