On first viewing Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Eibar at Camp Nou seemed routine thanks to goals from Xavi Hernandez, Neymar and Lionel Messi. However, their victory was anything but easy, as Xavi admitted the game was difficult. “We struggled to open them up but after the first half it was easier. I think they got more tired,” he told reporters.
Although Barcelona finally managed to break the stubborn Basque outfit Coach Luis Enrique will have several points to address to his players, especially defenders, seeing their next League fixture is against Real Madrid.
Although Barcelona’s much vaunted attack won the game in the second half, at times their defence almost conspired to lose it. Eibar had two brilliant chances to open the scoring in the first half, both through Barcelona’s defence suffering from lapses in concentration.
Eibar’s first chance came about when Ander Capa latched onto an opportunistic through ball to go past the onrushing Claudio Bravo before shooting wide from a decent angle. Their second chance was the easier to convert, as Saul Berjon broke the offside trap to find himself one on one with Bravo. Berjon’s shot was straight at the goalkeeper and their best chance of the game spurned.
But it was the way Eibar fashioned those chances that will worry Enrique. For Capa’s, Gerard Pique was very slow to deal with the through ball, as Pique had a head start when the ball was played. Yet he was able to outpace Pique with the defender guilty of ball-watching, allowing the midfielder to bear down on goal.
Eibar’s second chance would have severely displeased Enrique. A long ball was played over the top and Berjon ghosted past Pique and right-back Dani Alves, who easily let him through to break the defensive line and go one-on-one with Bravo.
Worryingly for La Blaugrana, Alves seemed to give up the chase while Pique desperately tried to catch the striker. Luckily for both players Bravo did well to deny Berjon.
For both of Eibar’s chances Barcelona played a high line where they were caught out by a ball over the top or a long pass down the left channel. Pique was ball-watching on both chances while Alves looked uncommitted as Berjon cantered towards goal.
Playing a high line can be risky especially when facing players with real pace, which is why Enrique must iron out the areas of weakness displayed in defence against Eibar. Though Los Armeros were unable to capitalize on those two clear-cut chances if those opportunities were presented to Real Madrid on Saturday it is likely no mercy would be given.
Moreover, if Barcelona’s defence repeat the lapses in concentration while playing a high line, the attacking trio of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale – who may actually miss the game – will tear them to shreds. Real Madrid certainly showed their attacking intent by demolishing Levante 5-0.
Saturday’s clash between these two rivals will likely depend on which defence holds out. If Barcelona repeat their performance at the back against Eibar then not even the much-anticipated arrival of Luis Suarez will be able to save them.
