Barcelona put in an excellent performance which means they have a 1-0 advantage going into the second leg.
Neymar
The Brazilian genius stepped up when Barça needed him the most. He dispatched the penalty after being tripped in the penalty box, and put in an efficient all-round performance. Neymar seems to have regained his form with two goals in two games. Prior to this, he hadn’t scored in eleven games. His confidence in being able to take responsibility helps the team significantly because it avoids an over-reliance being placed on Lionel Messi to deliver in key situations.
Also, the return to form is important because it significantly increases the goalscoring threat of the team due to the trio being the main attacking weapon. Continuing this form is key as Barcelona look to keep up their assault on three fronts, and attack Real Madrid’s lead in the league.
Pivotal Game
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The curse of the Anoeta Stadium has been lifted. Since 2007, Barcelona had failed to win at the stadium, but today they persevered against this tough opponent and found an answer. This is of huge importance to their season because it shows their resolve, which was sometimes lacking at the beginning of the season.
In a week where Real Madrid have struggled, it was vital that Barcelona showed their strength. Matches like this one can define a season, so getting the win is a promising sign. They will be tested at times in the rest of the season, so they need to remember the fighting spirit and mental strength they showed in this game.
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Umtiti’s Solidity
For the past few years, Gerard Piqué and Sergio Busquets have been the solid backbone of the team with Javier Mascherano contributing to this as well. However, it seems that the Catalans now have a long-term solution for their defence. In this match, Samuel Umtiti once again showed his composure and maturity beyond his years. Him and Piqué are a fearsome partnership, ready to cut out any danger that comes their way.
The French defender is an imposing presence, and has the ability to deal with aerial threats as well as the physical side of the role, but he is also confident in his ability to play out from the back. He is already showing that he has the qualities of an all-round defender even at his young age.
In games like this one, defensive solidity is key, so performances such as Umtiti’s are vital. The ability to trust Umtiti gives Lucho more options if he decides to tweak the system, and allows him to rotate the centre-backs which means he can rest key players. Therefore, Umtiti’s form will have a vital impact in determining the success of Barcelona’s season.