3 things we learned: Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona 2017/18 La Liga
Suárez impresses
The Uruguayan striker was back to his best for this game. This wasn’t just due to the fact that he scored the opening goal, either. He linked up well with the rest of the team and aided the pressing of the ball in the middle third. His tenacity allowed him to regain possession in key areas multiple times. He was a constant nuisance which helped reduce the effectiveness of Real’s midfielders with Toni Kroos being chief culprit.
His movement off the ball was important as well because he occupied the attention of the two centre-backs. This allowed Messi to drag Kovačić to the edge of the defence thereby giving Barça a man advantage in midfield. He effectively worked as a part of the overall defensive structure that Valverde utilised. Aside from his goal. he was guilty of missing a few chances as he shot wide after Messi had played him in on the right not long after he had scored. He also had a chance saved and hit the post in the build up to Dani Carvajal’s sending off.
The goal was key and combined with his work off the ball it means that this was a good performance. It’s fair to say that he hasn’t been up to his usual standards this season, but he is the joint-second highest goalscorer in the league with 10 goals. This match should give him a boost going in to the second half of the season.
His and Ousmane Dembélé’s performances will be key in determining how successful Barcelona will be. Valverde has created a strong defensive structure and Messi is a proven match-winner, but these two will be key in taking some of the slack creatively and in a goalscoring sense.