Barcelona 1-0 Malaga: Five Talking Points
Thomas Vermaelen proved to be Barcelona’s hero on a night where the Catalan club were given very few opportunities to score. The Belgian defender scored the winner in the 73rd minute to hand Barcelona a 1-0 win to make it two wins in two games for the defending champions. Here are the major talking points from the game.
#1 Thomas Vermaelen is back for Barcelona
Ever since signing for in the last summer transfer window from Arsenal, Vermaelen had never started a game for the Catalans. He was sidelined throughout the 2014/15 season with injuries and only managed to play five minutes in the penultimate game of the season for Barca last term. The Belgian defender has the distinction of having won a treble without playing a single game.
But with the new season in his sights, the former Arsenal captain has finally put the horrors of last season behind him and has started two games in a row for Barca, impressing on both occasions. With Gerard Pique suspended for the two games, Vermaelen made a statement to his manager Luis Enrique that he is not yet finished and has it in him to be a regular name on the teamsheet.
Vermaelen looked solid at the back for Barca as he was in control of the central defence along with Javier Mascherano. Vermaelen was also excellent going forward as he made through balls for Lionel Messi and Neymar on a couple of occasions, showing that he can assist in attacks as well.
But his best contribution of the game was when Kameni’s parry from a Suarez cross fell kindly for the former Arsenal defender, who rifled a half-volley into the back of the net. Luis Enrique and Barca fans will be hoping for more of the same from their recruit who cost £15m.