3 Things We Learned: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs FC Barcelona

Barcelona managed to win 2-1 in what was a below average performance considering their usual high standards.

Luis Enrique’s Substitutions

Firstly, let’s start with the fact that Enrique set up his team wrong for the match. Barcelona started with Paco Alcácer and Luis Suárez up front which was a gamble that failed for Enrique. The reason it failed is because they are two very similar players which nullifies their effectiveness as a partnership. Alcácer also couldn’t seem to get used to the idea of fluidity in the final third which is something Neymar and Suárez excel on. It took him until the 53rd minute to accept the fact that it wasn’t working, but the substitutions he made were excellent.

The first substitution was Rafinha for Alcácer which increased the movement up front significantly, and instantly made them more dangerous. A few minutes later, Enrique brought on Arda Turan for Ivan Rakitić. This gave Barcelona more creativity in the midfield due to Rakitić being unable to have an influence on the game. These changes worked wonders because Barca scored two goals within the first twenty minutes after the match, and one of the substitutes, Turan, scored with a wonderful finish. Enrique took a gamble which failed, but he was still able to get a win with his smart use of substitutes to change the match, so he should be praised for that.

Gerard Piqué’s Importance

This match was just another example of how crucial Piqué is to Barcelona. In a game where Barça were playing way below average, there needed to be a figure who could pull them through. That man was none other than the towering centre-back, Gerard Piqué. The goal he scored was the added bonus he deserved because it was a match-winning performance from him in more ways than one.

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As I highlighted in my preview for the match, Mönchengladbach love to play using pace on the counter. This combined with eleven consecutive wins at home prior to this match meant they were a really dangerous side. They had a clear game plan which they were confident at following. This meant that Barca were always in for a tough game, but this was made harder by the out-of-form Javier Mascherano. Even the dependable Sergio Busquets made a mistake which led to the Gladbach goal. Therefore it was vital that Piqué took responsibility with his calmness on the ball, and breaking up of opposition play.

Without a strong individual performance Barcelona may have crumbled slightly, and therefore leaked a few more goals. However, Piqué stopped this from happening which allowed Barça to get back into the game with the substitutions in the second half. Piqué physically embodies Barcelona’s unique style of play, so it was quite fitting that he pulled them through a match in which they were severely struggling.

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Important Result Considering Playing Average

The result of this match could be a vital indicator for how successful Barça will be this season. In the first half Mönchengladbach outplayed them. There was improvement after the break, but it wasn’t anything special. However, they still managed to get the win away from home against a top German side. Being able to win matches in the hardest of circumstances is the hallmark of champions.

Neither of the goals came from stunning team moves which is what we’re used to with Barca. The first was individual brilliance, and the second was a gift from Yann Sommer (Mönchengladbach goalkeeper). This is a promising sign because when the going gets tough it looks like the Barcelona players have the mental ability to obtain a result. They have a strong team ethic with a clear style of play, but they also have the individuals capable of changing the game. This is a frightening combination to come up against for any team, and it suggests a successful season ahead for the Catalan side.