DBasia.news – FC Barcelona will host their mortal enemy, Real Madrid , in the El Clasico match on the first leg Copa Del Rey semi-final at Camp Nou (7/2) 03.00 AM WIB. During the match, Barcelona’s defence was problematic.
A contrast to Madrid who started to find balance playing and processing yesterday’s match as to Santiago Solari’s desires, Barcelona’s defence was quite worrying in the home league. The gap can be exploited Madrid if not patched.
Quoted from Marca, Barcelona lost 15 goals from 12 home games this season in LaLiga. Another goal pierced in the competition will make Barca repeat their bad record in defence since their team in 2002-03 (missed 16 goals).
Camp Nou should have been a strong and steady fortress for the host. Not only that, on average Barca’s goal at Camp Nou only reached 1,25 goal per match and this very unusual for a team such as Barcelona.
Ever since Van Gaal’s season, at least Barcelona only missed 15 goals at Camp Nou and a maximum of 17 goals from 19 LaLiga matches under the care of Luis Enrique on 2016-17. It’s understandable If Barcelona is very focused in their defence area this season.
To cover their loss, Barca brought Clement Lenglet, Jeison Murillo, and Jean-Clair Todibo. They are expected to fix Barcelona’s defence. Especially for Lenglet and Todibo, they are plotted to regenerate the defence that still relies on Gerard Pique (32-years old) and Thomas Vermaelen (33-years old).
Defence is not Barcelona’s strongest point with their offensive and ball possession philosophy. Their defence is often exposed with counter-attacks or a dead ball situation from the opponent.
Barca manager, Ernesto Valverde, will have to think of a way to fix that area. Because their next rival is in good performance and want’s to avenge the wound after being defeated in the first Clasico in LaLiga.
Karim Benzema is in the middle of a good collaboration with Vinicius Junior. Then players such as Gareth Bale, Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, to Isco is always a threat to any team. As also Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane’s excellence in dead ball situation.
In the last five matches of the whole competition, Madrid has been undefeated. As for Barca has lost once with a 0-2 score by Sevilla. Only counting on Lionel Messi will not be enough if their defence is wide open.