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Despite failing to put up a typical stellar show, FC Barcelona grabbed all the three points on Wednesday night in Eindhoven. However, all that mattered was topping the group as Barca are through to the round of 16 for a straight thirteenth season.
Coming off from a gloomy draw over Athletico Madrid in the weekend and a pack-full of injury woes, the Blaugranas were still the favourites. Nevertheless, PSV Eindhoven were never on the backfoot since the start. The visitor’s apparent hangover from a sluggish weekend display made them sit back for several occasions in the first half.
The home side had their chances, which could not find the back of the net but could only work wood-ways twice. It would be justifiable to say that the Ter Stegen’s sticks played as an extra defender to deny Gaston Pereiro and De Jong. The woodworks were a loud wake-up alarm to Barcelona players for which they responded pretty well.
Having moved to a central role after playing in the right flank for a few seasons now, Messi looked a bit off rhythm in the beginning of the match. Along with him, other persistent performers in Busquets and Rakitic were also not their brilliant best. It was quite uncharacteristic of the midfielders to see them caught up a couple of times. For luck sake, the duo were not punished, either by the opponents in the form of a goal or by the referee with a card.
Contrastingly, the second half saw Barcelona bouncing off to their dominant ways. The team’s veterans stepped up with more discipline and in particular, the captain started looking more dangerous with a couple of shots on target.
On the mark of 61st minute, the genius found the back of the net with a masterpiece and eight minutes later went on make on for Gerrard Pique to increase the lead. Trying hard to put on a comeback, the Dutch side could only lessen the lead.
The series of Injuries have made this victory more interesting as several pivotal players like Luis Suarez, Sergio Roberto, Arthur Melo and Rafina were injured before the match. Although Sam Umtiti and Coutinho have returned from their injury, the long injuries of Sergi Roberto and Rafina must have forced the manager to choose a reserved team.
So let us look at 3 reasons why and how Barca managed to win.
#1. Squad Selection
In spite of having some serious injury concerns, the squad selection and fielding 11 were a near perfection from Valverde. It has to be pointed that Sam Umtiti was not fielded just because he has come back from the fitness. The decision has made sure that Lenglet’s fine form is allowed to continue and the left footed French defender was not starting from an injury away from home.
To stick to his favourite pick with Vidal as replacement to Arthur has to be lauded for it would act as an appreciation for the chilean’s strong performance at the weekend draw. And to go for a three top with an irregular winger pick in Malcom instead of opting to play four mid-fielders is some guts.
It was equally refreshing to see the bench adorned with young players and underused Denis Suarez. A comfortable first half lead could have given the manager a license to use them all.
#2. Lionel Messi's brilliance
Lionel Messi being a reason for the club’s victory is something that can any day be taken for granted. But the reason for his mention here is because of the fact that almost all of the team’s chances had the Magician’s presence imprinted all over. Barring his magic for the goal and the assist Barca would have lost the match.
Off from a very silent start, the Maestro went on just to improve minute after minute. Right from his long-range effort to subtle runs and take ons across the box, his intentions were crystal clear. Leaving the opponents and spectators bamboozled, the Argentine scored one of the best goals of the tournament yet.
His 106th UCL goal gives him a record for highest number of goals for a club in the competition, overtaking his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s 105 goals for Real Madrid. And with an intelligent free kick assist to Pique he completed his job to save Barca again.
#3. Poor Finishing
While the scoreline hardly tells the exact story of the match, the home side’s efforts have to be addressed. Quite unexpectedly, the culés were forced to sit back for a significant amount of time. A beautiful dictation of play from the home side helped them to create plentiful chances, thanks to the class act in De Jong.
Unfortunately, the chances were not converted. Although with all due respect to Ter Stegen, it is justifiable to say that his luck played a very significant part while defending, the finishing was never up to the mark.
It might be cruel to write off somebody’s finishing for not converting mere 4 or 5 chances, but when you face opponents like the FC Barcelona your strikers have to be on toes. With the amount of possession and chances PSV got to enjoy, they should have at least taken a point back home.
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