La Liga 2016/17: FC Barcelona 4-1 RCD Espanyol - 5 Talking Points
Derbies are always an interesting affair in football, and in Catalunya, derbies don’t get bigger than the one between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. Over the years, it has become more of a mismatch, though, in terms of the quality between the two teams.
Barcelona are easily one of the best teams in the world, having a plethora of world-class players while Espanyol have been the perennial underdogs, trying but never really succeeding in denting the reputation of their illustrious rivals. This particular facet of the derby was underlined once again last night, as the 5-time Champions League winners handed out a 4-1 drubbing to the team in blue and white.
It was Luis Suarez who started off the scoring after a breath-taking ball from Andres Iniesta found him on the wrong side of an Espanyol defender. His second came after the break, as first Iniesta and then Messi danced through the opposition defence and it was left to the former Liverpool man to slot the ball home from a rebound shot.
Barca’s third came shortly afterwards, as Lionel Messi again took on the Espanyol defence and opened up space for Jordi Alba to put it past the keeper. David Lopez managed to reduce the deficit, but Messi restored the 3 goal lead in the 89th minute after a beautiful chip from Suarez found him in a one on one situation with the goalkeeper.
Here are the 5 key talking points from the game:
#1 Barcelona players have managed to finally show some character
After dropping points against Real Sociedad and conceding to Real Madrid in the last minute of the Clasico, questions were raised about the mental strength and professionalism of the Barcelona players. Pundits even went to the extent of questioning the commitment of some of the team members, including the famed ‘MSN’ front three.
Media houses were busy linking Lionel Messi to a record-shattering move elsewhere. All in all, the club was in a disarray of sorts before this match and a loss would have severely accentuated the crisis.
However, that was not to be, as the players stepped up when required, and after convincing wins against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League and Osasuna last week, they managed to keep the intensity going. Pique and Mascherano were very effective in the back, while the ever energetic Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto ensured that there was never any lack of width in their attacking play with their overlaps.
The midfield had a good game as well, and now the Catalans are just 3 points behind Real Madrid (having played a game more) and the chase for the title is well and truly on now!