Barcelona went into their penultimate Champions League game of the league phase knowing that nothing less than a win would do if they still wanted to have a chance at automatic qualification to the knockout
stages.
The two teams hadn’t met in the competition since the 2019-20 season, with Barca holding the slightest of edges in terms of the head-to-head record.
In the two meetings before Wednesday night, the Catalans had won one and drawn the other, outscoring their opponents by two goals to one in the matchday three game, before a goalless draw in the matchday four return.
Given that Slavia had failed to win any of their six matches in this season’s competition, Hansi Flick’s side went into the game as the heaviest of favourites.
With complacency their enemy were they not to take the opponent seriously, a fascinating encounter awaited.
Let’s look at three talking points from the game…
Fermin has to remain as a starter
Once again, Barca relied upon the scoring prowess of Fermin Lopez, a player who always seems to come up trumps when required.
Along with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, there shouldn’t be an argument any longer as to Fermin taking residence in the third midfield slot.
He offers something different in terms of the number of goals he can contribute from attacking midfield, and has consistently delivered in this regard.
It’s that extra element to his game that would arguably elevate him above Gavi when he’s ready to be considered for selection again.
By utilising Fermin behind a main striker, it allows Pedri the free rein he enjoys, and can give Flick the option of having De Jong sat just in front of the back four, breaking upfield as and when needed.
The real question that needs to be asked now, then, is why wouldn’t Fermin start every game if fit and available?
Early nervousness in and out of possession
In the early stages of the game, particularly, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the hosts were the storied European giant and the visitors were the nervous upstarts who hadn’t scored in the competition for five games.
Barca’s players were often caught out of position, could barely string two passes together, and, as the two first-half goals showed, the defence were at sixes and sevens when put under pressure.
Simple balls often appeared beyond them, and any creativity was generally stifled by a workmanlike performance from Slavia.
No wonder that the TV cameras showed Flick with a face like thunder long before the half-time whistle blew. Surely his team can defend corners better than this?
The curious case of Dani Olmo
Rarely has there been a Barcelona player that divides so much opinion amongst culers, but it’s easy to understand why the jury is still out on Dani Olmo.
The Spanish international appears to be either absolutely awful or just brilliant for the club, and it’s hard to recall when he’s been anything in between.
Goalscoring is clearly his forte, though he probably doesn’t show that often enough, and his skillset should arguably make him a shoo-in for the starting XI every week.
That he’s come off the bench more often than not tells a story, and he doesn’t always provide such important interventions as the one in Prague.
A real conundrum for the coaching staff, though Pedri’s injury could hand him some immediate employment in the side.
