FC Barcelona v. Plzen (5-1): DEMBELE AND LEWANDOWSKI IGNITE Champions League Season Opener!

The Barca Breakdown discussed the Barca victory against Elche to secure 3 points and 3rd place on the table. Xavi deployed Gavi as the leff wing, Dembele on the right wing, and Dani Alves as right back. We questioned the use of Gavi on the left especially after a lackluster and uninvolved performance. We were excited to see Dembele start but his presence didn't seem to create much.   Unfortunately, Elche took advantage of the slow and old Dani Alves on the right back which resulted in the first goal of the game right before the end of the first half. We were happy to see Xavi make a substitute at the beginning of the second half and place Torres in for Gavi. Several times Torres was in great positions to score but could not capitalize. Finally, Alba kicks it forward and Torres taps in the ball for the equalizer.   Xavi subbed in Traore for Dembele and Memphis for Aubameyang. Later in the ~80' Memphis draws a penalty which is wonderfully scored and takes Barca to lead and win the 3 points.Fortunately, Ter Stegen was able to make multiple saves to keep their lead.    Lastly, the Breakdown discussed the upcoming Europa League game against Galatasaray and changes we want to see.

6 Maalis 202210min

The Barca Breakdown discussed the possible signing of Erling Haaland for 5 years on a 190M Euro deal. With the possibility of the CVC deal and the need for a great striker at FC Barcelona, Laporta wants to obtain Haaland possibly this summer. Many Barca fans want to see this especially after the inevitable signing of Mbappe to Real Madrid. Barca officially have signed Pablo Torre to Barca as a young midfielder from Real Sporting. A purchase that beat out Real Madrid and continues to bolster the midfield. The Breakdown questioned the focus of Laporta on the midfield of Barcelona. Recently, Ronald has been outspoken on the unfairness he believes he received before departing Barcelona. His comments highlight Laporta's distrust in Koeman, his preference in Xavi, his lack in arsenal, and the questionable leave of Lionel Mesi. Lastly, should FC Barcelona choose to purchase Adama Traore? With the possibility of Dembele leaving this summer, it could be a good move from Barca.

5 Maalis 202214min

The Barca Breakdown discussed the third victory in a row under the full throttle Xavi ball. Barca met Atheltic Bilbao at the Camp Nou, who knocked us out of the Copa Del Rey. Barca were also 2 games in hand and 4 points behind Betis on the table. Needless to say, this game was extremely important as Barca haven't been able to take advantage of these kinds of situations in recent history. Notable players on the pitch were Dest in place of Alba, Dani Alves as right back, and Gavi in for FDJ with Busquets and Pedri.   Nonetheless, Barca came out dominating possession and pressing high in Bilbao's side of the pitch. Traore was able to win a corner around the 35'. The corner comes in and Pique headers the ball off the post. Luckily, Aubameyang was in a perfect position to put the shot away. Barca take the lead and the half ends 1-0. Barca continued to play a wonderfully defensive game which kept Bilbao at bay.    The game really took off offensively when Ousmane Dembele came onto the pitch with Frenkie De Jong. Not soon after Dembele puts one away with his left foot. Then Luuk De Jong and Memphis came onto the pitch. Moments later, Dembele crosses the ball and LDJ headers it, 3-0! To completely destroy Bilbao, Dembele crosses again and Depay slides in to make it 4-0.    This Put Barca 1 point behind Betis with a game in hand. Barca are rising and there's plenty of room to keep climbing!

27 Helmi 202211min

The Barca Breakdown discussed the victory in the second leg of the Europa League against Napoli. In a wonderful performance, Barca seemed to have united in an international game looking for glory. Xavi deployed our January signings Torres, Aubameyang, and Traore in the attack. In the midfield, we had Busquets, Frenkie, and Pedri. Lastly our defensive backline, Alba, Pique, Aurajo, and Dest.    The game began and Barca came out firing. An early counter from Aubameyang to Traore, Traore to Alba, and we had our opener. Barca seemed to have been reawakened. Frenkie placed a Messi-esque and effortless goal to take Barca up 0-2. Unfortunately Stegen made a bad call, and Napoli received and scored a Penalty. El Presidente, Pique wasn't having it. He took the game 1-3 before half time! Before the game's end, Aubameyang scored and Napoli capitalized on making it 2-4. The game ended while joy and Barce were through to the next round.    The game was the beautiful football of Barcelona that we have all missed especially since Messi left. With the victories against Atletico, Valencia, and Napoli all ending with Barca scoring 4 goals, things seem to be working for Xavi's Barcelona. Although, there is still a lot to work on and we have a big game coming soon. The Europa League is far from over and La Liga is just heating up. Barca head into the weekend to play Athletic Bilbao on Sunday at the Camp Nou.

25 Helmi 202211min

The Barca Breakdown discussed the upcoming game of FC Barcelona vs. Napoli in the second leg of the Europa League. After a very winnable first leg and the victory against Valencia over the weekend, it leaves the Breakdown feeling very hopeful that Barca can progress. There are a few changes that need to be made to solidify the victory. We discussed the lineup in the first leg and what changes Xavi needs to make. Namely, Dembele needs to start this game in place of Ferran Torres. Furthermore, Dest should start over Mingueza, Araujo over Garcia, and Busquets to not start the game. While Torres gave us many possibilities in the Napoli game, he was not clinical and he has disappeared in many other games. If adjustments need to be made in the game, we suggest that Dembele and Traoré as the wingman and sub off Aubameyang for Luuk De Jong if we need a late winner. The young Barca squad must visualize this game a final and the only hopes in winning a trophy this season!

23 Helmi 202212min

The Barca Breakdown discussed the wonderful performance against Valencia at the Mestalla. Prior to this game Barce were 6th on the table behind Villareal and Atletico Madrid who both won their games. However, Barca had 2 games in hand in this case. With today's victory, Barca are replaced in 4th tied with Atletico with a game in hand.    First and foremost, Xavi deployed Dembele on the left wing, which we have been saying for weeks now, with Aubameyang and Ferran Torres. We saw Pedri get some rest as Busquets started and Araujo returned with Pique out due to yellow card accumulation.    A wonderful first half saw Barca up 0-3 with two goals from Aubameyang and one from FDJ. The First goal came over the top from Alba to the feet of Aubameyang, who wonderfully put it away. Then Dembele crossed it in to FDJ who slid in for 0-2. Lastly, Dembele cuts it to Gavi and a quick pass to Aubameyang; 0-3!    Coming into the second half, Garcia left the pitch on injury and Mingueza came on. Barca control on the ball started to drop and Valencia capitalized and made it 1-3. It didn't matter, Pedri shoots a screamer and it deflects off of Aubameyang and makes it 1-4. The ref awarded the goal to Aubameyang giving him the hat trick. A wonderful game giving us some good hope coming into Napoli on Thursday.

20 Helmi 202213min

The Barca Breakdown discussed the draw between Barcelona and Napoli in the Europa League. Coming into the game, Barca knew this would not be an easy game facing the 3rd place Italians. Although, with the acquisition of Ferran Torres, Adama Traore, Aubamayeng, and the recent performances, we had high hopes. The line up left fans with some surprises as Busquets and Gavi didn't start and we saw Minguza for Dest, Nico in the Midfield, and a trio of Aubamayeng, Torres, and Traore in the front. The game was very pleasing with many chances and beautiful play. However, Barca fell asleep for one instance and Napoli took advantage with a goal in the 29'. Barca didn't quit, or really Torres didn't quit. Shot after shot Torres skied many great opportunities leaving Barca in a race against the clock. Finally in the 59' Traore gets a penalty drawn and Torres takes charge and equalizes. More and more opportunities fell for Torres but he could not convert. Barca ended the game with 20 shots and only 4 on target. Now the results do not match the performance that we saw. Barca performed beautifully and even had Dembele and Luuk De Jong come in later in the game to try and score a late goal. While we loved the idea of Traore, Dembele, and LDJ, we commented again on the fact that LDJ only got 10 minutes of play and Dembele around 25. It must be said that Xavi needs to put subs on earlier so that Barca have a chance to take the lead.

18 Helmi 202214min

The Barca Breakdown discussed the chaotic Catalan Derby draw! With Dani Alves out with a red card in the Atletico Madrid game, we saw the same line up but with Dest in the back right. Barca opened the game in the 2' minute with a cross from Alba and Pedri scoring with one touch. As the game progressed, Barca slowly began to allow many opportunities and shots from Espanyol. This resulted in a goal from Darder to end the first half. The second half began with Araujo on the bench due to an injury incurred in the first half which had Eric Garcia make his first appearance in a month. With Busquets not able to uphold a top tier performance through the second half, Barca began on the defense. An extremely awful decision by Erica Garcia kept De Tomas on side, Ter Stegen was left one on one with De Tomas. De Tomas smashed the ball past Stegen Taking Espanyol up, 2-1. Xavi chose to put Dembele, Aubameyang, Traore, and Ferran Torres in the front line late in the game. This was pretty questionable because he took out FDJ and left the poor performing Busquests in the game. The mid field wasn't able to push the ball down the middle very well and relied on the wings to cross the ball in. Xavi chose to put in LDJ late in the game. I t proved the equalizer when Traore crossed the ball and LDJ headed it in. Overall a very concerning performance and Xavi needs to improve on his decision making. This leaves us tied in 4th with Atletico Madrid and looking forward to NApoli midweek and Valencia after. Although, Barca will possibly missing Araujo against Napoli and Pique, due to a red card for Valencia.

14 Helmi 202213min