Real Madrid 0-1 FC Barcelona: Hits and Flops | LaLiga 2018-19

#2 Hit: Ivan Rakitic

A job well

done

and so was the damage: Ivan Rakitic was excellent on both ends of the pitch

Ivan Rakitic's profile fits more of a box to box player rather than a creative midfielder that Barcelona demands. He has been deemed as not being a risk taker by his own fanbase. In recent games, however, Rakitic has been far better than his usual defensive play. He was heavily involved in the attacking buildup of pretty much every Blaugrana attack. He made forward runs, forward passes, things we have not seen much from him.

The first goal that he scored was a pre-assist for him too. He received the ball from Messi, passed out wide to Sergi Roberto, got the through ball back, and he was in behind the defense in three passes. To finish things off, he executed a wonderful chip, over Courtois, with Ramos on his tail. Lionel Messi would be proud of that chip.

Did anyone see the neat through ball to Lionel Messi? The whole defense was just standing there when Messi slid in behind them. If he had been a tad quicker, it was surely 2-0 Barcelona. Talking about box-to-box, he attempted four tackles, made four tackles. He made 46/55 passes to go with it.

A brilliant game from the Croatian, who scored the winning goal, and made his presence at both ends of the field.