PreviousLiveChronicle
Barça trembles in Europe, fighting for the ball and clinging to the scoreboard, after a painful football exercise in Do Drãgao. The Blaugrana lived thanks to a golden goal from substitute Ferran after an unforced error from Romário Baró, which was punished by Gündogan. In the absence of football, a single game redeemed Barcelona fans from a bad game that felt more like the end of a war than the start of the Champions League fight. Xavi’s team was burdened with injuries and cards after old feelings resurfaced with a 1-0 lead. Nobody asked more from a Barça team that was defeated and fearful of an opponent who fought better and also failed more than Barcelona in a crucial game for the fate of Group H.
0
Diogo Costa, David Carmo, Fábio Cardoso, Wendell, Joao Mario (Nico González, min. 84), Wanderson Galeno (Iván Jaime, min. 85), Alan Varela, Romario Baro (Evanilson, min. 64), Stephen Eustáquio, Mehdi Taremi (Danny Loader, min. 84) and Pepê
1
Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Alex Balde, Gavi, Gündogan, Oriol Romeu (Sergi Roberto, Min. 68), Lewandowski (Ferrán Torres, Min. 33), Lamine Yamal and João Félix (Fermín López, Min. 68 ). )
Goals 0-1 min 46: Ferrán Torres.
referee Anthony Taylor
Yellow cards: Cancelo (min. 13), Ronald Araújo (min. 28), Gavi (min. 36), Koundé (min. 47), João Félix (min. 50) and Sergi Roberto (min. 86)
The event began and ended with the highlighting of Lamine Yamal. At 16, the age of Messi when he debuted for Barça, in the same Do Dragão, the winger who played in Xavi’s starting XI. A good way to raise interest and expectations in Porto. The bet on the courageous Yamal was somewhat offset by the return of defenders Oriol Romeu and Araujo. However, instead of gaining consistency, the Blaugrana were inaccurate, especially with the midfielder, who after a good start to the season is now struggling to find his place as Busquets’ replacement. Romeu was not satisfied and the Portuguese pressed and attacked Barça’s many ball losses with speed.
Due to the impotence of Xavi’s disjointed team, Porto’s hasty arrivals in the Ter Stegen area followed one another. The Blaugrana were not in control of the game, were as inconsistent as they were uncertain and suspicious, excessively slow to retreat and generous in transitions, too far from Diogo Costa’s goal. Lewandowski’s limp contrasted with some of Lamine Yamal’s dribbling. Barça at times only breathed thanks to the young striker, who was the only one who did not seem afraid of the game, and found relief in the leadership of João Félix. However, Gündogan didn’t just hesitate. The team is not yet together, too exposed to the exchange of blows, without playing time and hierarchy on the pitch, at the mercy of the wind of the intimidating Do Dragão.
The Blaugrana didn’t stop taking bookings, outnumbered in close combat and also on the run when Lewandowski went off injured and was brought down by Marco. The tone of the game did not suggest that Porto were playing with three reserve defenders, protected by international Diego Costa. The goalkeeper responded with confidence to the few times he felt challenged in an increasingly gusty game, until Romario Baró lost the ball near the edge, sparking Barça’s counterattack. Gündogan showed his excellent passing game and made it possible for Ferran. The Valencian didn’t get rusty or flustered on the bench, but instead showed an excellent effort to keep the ball unmarked, followed by good control and a shot that went between the Porto goalkeeper’s legs.
Gavi, expelled
The goal accelerated the Portuguese team and did not slow down Barcelona. The cards made no difference because Barcelona’s possession and pressure didn’t work. Due to the enthusiasm of the Dragão fans, the game remained very open. The moments of unrest did not stop in the Ter Stegen area either. Pepé took too long to put the shot together, leading to Koundé’s nascent intervention. The same game was repeated shortly afterwards with Araujo as Pepé’s writing pad. Taremi later headed in a cross from Romário Baró after a mistake from Ferran and ter Stegen canceled out two consecutive shots from the striker and Wendell. Nobody finished a move at Barça and there was no way for Xavi to intervene to stop Porto’s monologue.
The changes seemed appropriate to the scenario of the game: Fermín and even Sergi Roberto, a second midfielder, came on for Romeu, who was spread out too widely and substituted in every game, and João Félix, who also does not stay on the field for more than an hour Field, booed his exit from the Porto Stadium. However, the best guarantee for Barça was Ter Stegen, the team’s most famous footballer compared to the one who won the league. Barcelona’s confusion increased when Yamal disappeared without knowing what had happened to him (an illness) while the referee whistled a penalty through Cancelo. The VAR warned the referee that Eustaquio had also been fouled previously. Barca’s uncertainty was reflected in the signing of Marcos Alonso for Yamal and the regular semi-injury of Araujo.
Joao Félix shoots against several opponents.PEDRO NUNES (Portal)More information
Although the game was for the team of The result was generous for the Blaugrana, who resisted as best they could, knowing that the successful defense of the goal finally meant a place in the round of 16 after two years of defeat in the Champions League. Europe has a difficult time with a timid Barcelona.
You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes on Facebook and Xor sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.