FC Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol: Hits and Flops | LaLiga 2018-19

Lionel Messi celebrating the second goal with Malcom
Lionel Messi celebrating the second goal with Malcom

#3 Flop: Victor Sanchez

Victor Sanchez with the foul on Lionel Messi just outside the box. The catalyst to the first goal.
Victor Sanchez with the foul on Lionel Messi just outside the box. The catalyst to the first goal.

Espanyol's captain Victor Sanchez had a poor day at the office. He was the one who tackled Lionel Messi at RCDE Stadium to give away a free kick. We know what followed. Messi stepped up and curled the ball past Diego Lopez's reach. But he hasn't learned anything from his previous experience it seems.

Yesterday when Barcelona was desperately looking for a way to score, he fouled Lionel Messi just outside the box. If that wasn't enough, he completely misjudged Messi's kick and headed it out of the reach for his own keeper. A freekick which could otherwise be saved was helped past by Victor Sanchez.

Even without this incident, Victor Sanchez's numbers were not any good. He made only 16 passes, poor for a midfielder. He also made 3 tackles but only out of an attempted 11. A tackle success rate of 27%. Also, he was dribbled past eight times in the game, more than any other player on the pitch. Espanyol's captain was booed off by Camp Nou but his performance would attract jeers from even his home supporters.

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