Champions League, Barcelona 3-0 Manchester United: 3 things we learned from the match

#3 Barcelona dominated the midfield battle

Philippe Coutinho scored a goal against his old rivals

Barcelona’s possession-based passing game was too good for United, as the latter struggled to hold their own in the midfield. United played two defensive midfielders in the shape of Fred and McTominay, and were solely dependent on Pogba for creating moves.

While Pogba tried his best, it was not enough to trouble the likes of Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Arthur Melo. Coutinho notched up his 11th goal of the season and had a really good match.

Barcelona kept dictating terms in the midfield, and all United could do in reply was to play some square passes inside their own half. Jordi Alba was brilliant again and a lot of their attacks originated through him. United struggled to get the ball, as Barca had almost 65% possession in the first half.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been doing a good job for United, but watched helplessly as a much superior Barca side knocked his team out of the competition.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

Know More

Edited by Jong Ching Yee