Derbies are always an interesting affair in football, and in Catalunya, derbies don’t get bigger than the one between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. Over the years, it has become more of a mismatch, though, in terms of the quality between the two teams.
Barcelona are easily one of the best teams in the world, having a plethora of world-class players while Espanyol have been the perennial underdogs, trying but never really succeeding in denting the reputation of their illustrious rivals. This particular facet of the derby was underlined once again last night, as the 5-time Champions League winners handed out a 4-1 drubbing to the team in blue and white.
It was Luis Suarez who started off the scoring after a breath-taking ball from Andres Iniesta found him on the wrong side of an Espanyol defender. His second came after the break, as first Iniesta and then Messi danced through the opposition defence and it was left to the former Liverpool man to slot the ball home from a rebound shot.
Barca’s third came shortly afterwards, as Lionel Messi again took on the Espanyol defence and opened up space for Jordi Alba to put it past the keeper. David Lopez managed to reduce the deficit, but Messi restored the 3 goal lead in the 89th minute after a beautiful chip from Suarez found him in a one on one situation with the goalkeeper.
Here are the 5 key talking points from the game:
#1 Barcelona players have managed to finally show some character
After dropping points against Real Sociedad and conceding to Real Madrid in the last minute of the Clasico, questions were raised about the mental strength and professionalism of the Barcelona players. Pundits even went to the extent of questioning the commitment of some of the team members, including the famed ‘MSN’ front three.
Media houses were busy linking Lionel Messi to a record-shattering move elsewhere. All in all, the club was in a disarray of sorts before this match and a loss would have severely accentuated the crisis.
However, that was not to be, as the players stepped up when required, and after convincing wins against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League and Osasuna last week, they managed to keep the intensity going. Pique and Mascherano were very effective in the back, while the ever energetic Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto ensured that there was never any lack of width in their attacking play with their overlaps.
The midfield had a good game as well, and now the Catalans are just 3 points behind Real Madrid (having played a game more) and the chase for the title is well and truly on now!
#2 Neymar needs to be more clinical
Neymar has scored the least number of goals this season among the MSN trio, and it seems he is more interested in developing himself as a creator of goals rather than as a finisher. For Brazil, he is often deployed in a free role behind the number 9, and it seems he is intent on doing the same for the Catalans on the left side of the field.
It has been 9 games now since he last scored, and he has racked up 6 bookings in that time, which is probably an indication of his frustration. There were moments in the game yesterday when he could have gone for the goal himself, but choose to pass it to a team-mate instead. His ball for Messi in the opening 15 minutes was a gem, but unfortunately, the Argentinian could only find the side of the net from the resulting shot.
While it is great to see him trying to adapt the game to the needs of his team, it would be nice to see the Neymar of old once in a while!
#3 Luis Enrique is an excellent man-manager
Enrique has won 5 major trophies with Barca in his two and a half seasons, but he has often been criticised for his tactics and lack of a backup plan. While that is subject to discussion, what is unquestionable is Enrique’s man-management techniques. He benched the reliable Ivan Rakitic yesterday and put Denis Suarez in his place. The youngster put in a composed performance and helped to dominate possession in the middle of the park alongside Iniesta.
It is obvious now that the Croatian will be used in the bigger games, given his work rate and game reading ability, while the ones against lowly opposition will feature either Andre Gomes or Suarez. This is further underlined by the fact that the former Sevilla midfielder has made only 3 appearances in the last 8 games, but those 3 have come away at Celtic, at the Clasico at Camp Nou and Real Sociedad away.
Given the number of league, cup and continental games Barcelona have to play and deliver trophies, Enrique needs to rotate his players so that all of them remain fresh, and it seems he has got his plan of action sorted out.
#4 Espanyol looked hapless and overawed
Espanyol came into the Camp Nou with their hopes high but eventually had to leave with their heads hung in shame. Quique Sanches Flores’s side looked confident in the opening few minutes but gradually ceded control to a far superior and motivated Barcelona side.
The occasional brilliance from David Lopez, Pablo Piatti, Gerard Moreno or Victor Sanchez could not save them from failing to register a win against their nemesis for the 15th game in a row.
The Derbi Barceloni has always been Barcelona’s to lose, and the trend seems set to continue if Espanyol keep putting such lacklustre performances. Before the match, they had the tightest defensive record in the league, barring Barcelona and Real Madrid, but the gulf in class was highlighted once again. Small team mentality? Probably!
#5 Messi and Iniesta are a privilege to watch
Barcelona looked lost at times when Iniesta was out injured, but since his return, he has taken up the burden of revitalising the team once again. His silky smooth touch, his feints and his ability to not only dance past defenders but also pick the correct pass no matter how tight the space is, or how many players are surrounding him, is simply spell binding at times.
He and Messi were involved in all the Barca goals yesterday, and it is simply a privilege to watch them play.
The diminutive Argentinian came into the match knowing that his eternal rival Ronaldo had just won the Club World Cup for Madrid, so he decided to turn up the stakes in style by ghosting past Espanyol players repeatedly, and setting up 2 goals and scoring one more.
The Camp Nou chanted his name in unison after the match, and it simply seems that there is no stopping this man when he is on song. Take a bow, Messi!
