Tuesday evening saw the return of the Champions League, and the first match of the competition to be played at Spotify Camp Nou since the refurbishment.
Down in 18th place in the table at the start of play,
it was quite clear that if Barcelona wanted to have any chance of finishing the league phase in the automatic qualification positions, then nothing less than three points would be acceptable.
Plus the Catalans had a score to settle.
No culer will have forgotten the scene at Camp Nou back in 2022, when the Bundesliga outfit not only won 3-2, but brought so many fans with them, that the stadium was bathed in white and it looked like an away fixture.
The team that took the field on that occasion included Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with only the first three of those players in the frame for the ‘reunion.’
Let’s take a look at three talking points from the game…
Time to put some respect on Rashford’s name
Jules Kounde will rightly earn the plaudits for his two goals on the night, though the game changed significantly with the introduction of Marcus Rashford.
Not quite a statement performance from the Englishman, his contribution still shouldn’t be overlooked.
Nor should the manner in which he has taken his opportunity ever since arriving at the club.
Even now, there appears to be consistent discussions amongst culers on why Rashford isn’t the right fit for the club because Raphinha and Lamine have to start – but that rather misses the point.
He brings something different and clearly something that’s needed, and in a World Cup year with everything to prove, not to mention a contract to earn, it’s clear that there is a need for the player to do well.
Arguably, he can’t have done any more to date, so it’s about time some respect was put on Rashford’s name.
Barca’s lack of physicality on show
Though it can’t be said that Barca are lightweight, nor have the team mastered the dark arts that are often needed to either get you over the line in games or stop the opponents from scoring.
For Eintracht’s opening goal, both Gerard Martin and Alejandro Balde needed to do much better to knock Ansgar Knauff off the ball. Even if it meant getting punished in the process.
It’s a fine balance, of course, and blatant fouls in those positions might often end in a red card.
Reticence to make a challenge is therefore understandable, but the players do need to toughen up a bit at times.
Game of two halves in passing terms
If there’s one thing that Barcelona are known for the world over, it’s the quality of their passing.
Quick, sharp and accurate, it’s a prerequisite for any player that wants to pull on the Blaugrana jersey.
Against the Germans, particularly in the first half, that accuracy was consistently off – and no player escaped scrutiny.
Whether playing the ball long or short, the majority of Barca’s players were inconsistent and disjointed at best, and that allowed Eintracht to defend with relative ease – something that they’ve been unable to do all season given that they have the worst defensive record in the German top-flight and the third worst in the Champions League.
A different team came out to play in the second 45. Passing was crisp and purposeful, and allowed Barca to open up the spaces that had been denied them before the break.
At times it was a joy to watch, with Marcus Rashford’s cross for Jules Kounde’s first, absolutely delicious.
It gave a previously quiet Camp Nou something to cheer.
