Ten games. Those are the encounters that the Barcelona has won by the minimum in this League and that have meant 30 bonus points that allow him to lead the championship with a nine advantage over his closest rival, the real Madrid. The Barça team, which was looking to make a unique, beautiful and high-carat football this season, is clinging to the unocerism… but enough to rule the standings with an iron fist.
Barça won again this Sunday after adding a new victory against Valencia (1-0), in a game in which everything happened. One of the few defensive errors of the team che was taken advantage of raphinha to put your team ahead; Ferran Torres would miss a penalty that he could have given the Catalans peace of mind; and the referee did not indicate a clear maximum penalty by Kessié on Fran Pérez that could have changed the game.
Albert Ortega. Barcelona
It was as it was, the Barcelona group He took advantage of a Madrid stumble again -this time against Betis (0-0)- to get 9 points ahead and punch the table. The reading is clear: This Barcelona is far from its best version, but take the games forward. Meanwhile he eternal rivaldespite dominating the matches, reaching the opposite goal and trying in every way, seems to continually crash into a wall.
Where is the difference? There are several important elements, such as the Barça’s ability to keep a clean sheet or the fact that they are many players capable of scoring, something that Madrid is missing. But the main clue to what is happening was given by himself. Xavi Hernandez at the end of the match at the Camp Nou: “You have to improve in your game, in your construction and in understanding your attack better, but I’m happy with how we compete“.
And it is that Barça is showing precisely that they know how to win games due to their ability to understand what they have to do. Those days in which Xavi asked that this Barça not only win, but also make it beautiful and with colorful football are far away that was recognized throughout the world. Now, this team is more pragmatic than ever, it knows where to press and when to defend with the ball to avoid suffering in defense.
That is what, precisely, Madrid is missing in the League, because when the Champions League arrives it seems that it transforms. He is capable of throwing himself into attack with more heart than head, he manages to change matches based on tenacity and aim and ends up breaking down any wall, no matter how resistant it may seem. But, when the national championship arrives, Madrid seems to have forgotten to competedoes not find a way to do damage and becomes predictable.
The Barcelona is knowing to take advantage of his opportunities, both in attack and defense, despite the casualties they have been counting on lately. And, in addition, he is having that ‘fortune’ on his side with certain arbitration decisions. All this puts the Catalan team with a clear advantage in the League… but be careful: San Mamés and the Clásico can leave the distance in three points. How Barcelona and Madrid compete will be the key to the League.
Ten games. Those are the encounters that the Barcelona has won by the minimum in this League and that have meant 30 bonus points that allow him to lead the championship with a nine advantage over his closest rival, the real Madrid. The Barça team, which was looking to make a unique, beautiful and high-carat football this season, is clinging to the unocerism… but enough to rule the standings with an iron fist.
