They say that there is no evil that does not come good, a saying that could even be applied to the worst night of Xavi Hernández on the bench of a Barça torn to pieces in the second leg of the semifinals by Real Madrid, more incisive, fast and accurate in the Camp Nou than a broken and unanswered Blaugrana team with a team of circumstances. The white win confirms, once again, the high level of Ancelotti's pupils when there is a title at stake, in this case the pass to a final, and also made clear the main defect to improve of the Barcelona fans: they do not have a extensive guarantee template.
The blaugranas have shown defensive solidity and brilliant moments throughout the season, especially when they have maintained their gala eleven, but as they have had injuries, something normal throughout the course, always intense, the team's play has suffered , unable the less common to maintain the level. Barça faced the fifth clásico of the season with the important casualties of Pedri, Dembélé, Christensen and De Jong and none of their replacements was up to the task.
Marco Alonso, a winger converted to a centre-back, arrived late to a divided ball with Rodrygo, who set up the counterattack for the first goal. The man from Madrid was replaced in the second half by Eric Garcia, who was also swallowed up by the Barca mess in defense, always at the mercy of the Madrid forward defenders after the break.
For his part, Sergi Roberto, at that time with a yellow card, did not get in the way of Modric on the edge of the area before the Croat assisted Benzema for the second goal. And Kessié, one of Barça's best in the first half, ruined his game with an unnecessary penalty in the second half against Vinícius that meant the Madrid sentence. The Ivorian was already close to committing the same imprudence in the last league game against Valencia in an action with Fran Pérez.
Beyond individual actions, in general terms none of the usual substitutes put together a good performance in a game that demanded the best version of all. Sergi Roberto, an experienced player from the house who knows the game of possession and position by heart, did not know how to calm down, the team taking refuge in the ball, when Madrid was at ease in constant transitions. Busquets, the most veteran of the squad, did not help either. The Blaugrana midfielder lacked control, physical stamina and speed. None of the Barcelona midfielders had any offensive impact either. On the other hand, Modric, 37, was at ease.
On the offensive side, Barça's best asset were the incursions of full-back Balde, while on the other flank Camavinga, a midfielder acting as a full-back, contained Raphinha without excessive problems, for whom the starting role in replacement of Dembele. The Brazilian, who lost in all the one-on-one games with the Frenchman, was replaced by a Ferran Torres who also did not create any danger, just like an active but again erratic Ansu Fati.
Barring a catastrophe, Barça will win the League title, where they have a 12-point lead with 11 games to go. The league title will undoubtedly be a success that, however, should not cover the shortcomings of a Barça team that still lacks a competitive squad to maintain the level in various competitions, especially when the infirmary fills up and teams of the European elite. Bayern, Inter Milan, Manchester United and finally Real Madrid have shown this harsh reality. For the umpteenth time, the blaugrana leaders will have a lot of work in the offices next summer.
Consult all the results of the Copa del Rey.
