Simply when Barcelona wanted them, La Masia stepped up their sport. When Dutch referee Danny Makkelie blew the ultimate whistle on the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona had not solely received an important Champions League win in opposition to Napoli but additionally made an essential assertion. Over the previous few years, Blaugrana have confronted arduous instances which have seen them endure humiliating defeats within the Champions League La Liga whereas additionally going virtually on the sting of monetary chapter that pressured them to activate a number of ‘financial levers.’
This season has additionally been removed from excellent, with Barcelona trailing league leaders Actual Madrid by eight factors and Xavi leaving the managerial put up on the finish of the season. Nevertheless, in opposition to Napoli within the second leg of their Champions League tie, Barcelona confirmed that they’ll succeed on the greatest stage and below the most important strain of the continental event.
Three La Masia graduates have been the principle architects of this win. First, there was rising centre-back Pau Cubarsí. Then there was goalscorer Fermín López and prolific attacker Lamine Yamal. The way in which these three performed ought to give immense hope to the membership’s followers.
A mixture of expertise and youth
Earlier than the sport, Barcelona had not received in any of their final 4 Champions League knockouts, drawing two and shedding two. Nevertheless, there was some comfort in the truth that their final win got here in opposition to Napoli itself again within the 2019-20 season.
They began the sport completely, as Lopez side-footed a neat move from Raphinha. It was a really calm and composed end from the teenager. Barcelona added one other only a minute later earlier than Napoli pulled on again by way of Amir Rrahmani.
Nevertheless, with solely a one-goal lead, Barcelona didn’t maintain again and went on the offensive, which is why they ended the night time with 24 photographs in comparison with Napoli’s 14. A serious cause for this was the duo of Lopez and Yamal, who always harassed Napoli’s left wing.
Yamal, particularly, discovered area again and again on the suitable flank. Whereas the duo of Lopez and Yamal labored its magic within the assault, Cubarsi stored issues tight within the again. As Barcelona performed with a excessive again line, Napoli’s pacey assault all the time discovered alternatives.
3 – Pau Cubarsí es el primer jugador del Barcelona que completa +50 pases (61/68), el 100% de sus entradas (3/3) y realiza cinco o más despejes en su debut en la Liga de Campeones desde al menos la temporada 03/04. MVP. pic.twitter.com/6SCxdct0Oe
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 12, 2024
Cubarsi’s first main contribution got here within the second minute when he did effectively in holding off Viktor Osimhen, who was within the field with the ball. Six minutes later, Osimhen would have been by way of one-on-one on aim with the keeper if the teenage defender had not made a wonderfully timed sort out.
The teenager additionally confirmed his imperious passing ability as he repeatedly discovered teammates up on the pitch with completely timed lengthy balls. Nevertheless, nearly all of his night time was spent on nullifying Osimhen, a process he accomplished efficiently.
Cubarsi ended the night time with a passing accuracy of 89,7 per cent, a sort out success fee of 100 per cent and greater than 5 clearances. We’ve got to recollect all this got here on his Champions League debut.
Barcelona’s younger stars future
Whereas analysing Barcelona’s victory over Napoli, we should remember that it got here with out two of their greatest younger stars: Pedri and Gavi. They aren’t the one youth academy gamers with
Iñaki Peña, Ander Astralaga, Marc Casadó, Marc Guiu, and Héctor Fort have been additionally on the substitutes bench.
Fermín López vs Napoli
60 Minutes Played1 Goal39 Touches13 Correct Passes2 Key Passes2/3 Correct Lengthy Balls1 Profitable Dribble5/7 Floor Duels Won0 Fouls Committed2 Instances Fouled1 Clearance1 Interception2 Tackles5 Recoveries pic.twitter.com/8PHFQqJP1q
— ArsenKveFCB (@ArsenKveFCB) March 12, 2024
Final time Barcelona dominated the world soccer stage, it was constructed on the bedrock of the expertise equipped by La Masia. The induction of so many academy graduates within the present squad exhibits that the famed youth system has rediscovered its mojo.
And whereas Xavi could also be leaving on the finish of the season, the way forward for Barcelona appears to be promising, one thing that might assist them get again to the zenith of the soccer world, the place they belonged for therefore a few years.
