In this column, Xoel Càrdenas gives you his take on FC Barcelona's 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen. Xoel talks about Marc-Andre ter Stegen having a great night, while Munir and other FCB players having a dismal night.
It was a match that FC Barcelona didn't need to win, and it showed, as El Blaugrana looked below average in Germany. Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona ended Group E action with a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night.
Hakan Calhanoglu had the first shot at goal in the second minute, as his shot from long range went left of the far post. Marc Bartra had a good defensive play in the eighth minute, as Leverkusen was looking for a shot at goal. Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a nice save on a Calhanoglu free kick in the 11th minute. Sandro had the first shot at goal for Barcelona in the 16th minute, but his attempt was easily saved by Bayer goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 20th minute, as a great through ball by Ivan Rakitic found Leo on the right, stayed onside, got past Leno, and slotted in the goal. Great play by Rakitic to find Leo, who scored his 80th career UEFA Champions League goal in his storied career.
Gif: Goal Messi (0-1) #fcblive [via @emenderk] http://pic.twitter.com/KzLnKDRkJV
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) December 9, 2015
Pase de Rakitic y gran gol de D10S http://pic.twitter.com/DODciNhb2T
— FCB (@Emenderk) December 9, 2015
Javier Hernandez got the equalizer in the 23rd minute, as the Mexican, from inside the area, put it past Ter Stegen's right side for the goal.
Calhanoglu had another long shot at goal in the 38th minute, but Ter Stegen was there to scoop up the ball.
Ter Stegen had a great stop on a Karim Bellarabi one-on-one in the 60th minute. It was the MAtS show, as he continued to make save after save on the night. Sergi Samper made a great stop in a close chance for Bayer in the 88th minute. A close shot by Chicharito was nicely saved by MAtS. Unreal night from the German.
Video: Save Ter Stegen #fcblive [via @cmbInshadyswrld] http://pic.twitter.com/DhYNsRgXBe
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) December 9, 2015
FT: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 FC Barcelona
Xoel's Quick Take
Well, that was a dismal match to watch, so let's quickly talk about a few things.
Sergi Samper started off a bit shaky, but got it together in the second half. Did you see Gerard Gumbau play? He was (and is) awful. There's a reason I call him "Cesc" Gumbau. I hope that Luis Enrique noticed the difference in the two and will stick with Samper for the rest of the competitive season. Samper needs more minutes — even if it's garbage time minutes in a Liga match — to continue to build up his first-team chemistry.
Samper: "Happy, bit by bit I'm getting minutes, gaining confidence. 90 minutes in the CL is always good. I think I've improved a lot."
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) December 9, 2015
Wilfrid Kaptoum had nice match. He showed good speed and ability to create opportunities for his teammates, despite showing some signs of inexperience, naturally. The kid looked sharp and this Champions League experience will do tremendous things for his confidence and his overall game.
It's always great to see Leo Messi score a goal, but the man of the match for Barcelona was Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German shined in his homeland, stopping Leverkusen left, central and right. Great to see MAtS have a night like this, which will further help his confidence as the round of 16 comes around.
Ter Stegen with his 2nd best match in a Barça shirt, first one also in Germany, but vs Bayern.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) December 9, 2015
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has made 9 saves against Leverkusen today, his best tally ever in a competitive game for Barcelona #fcblive [via opta]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) December 9, 2015
While some had a good night for Barcelona, others had a horrible night.
Sandro was the typical Sandro we're used to seeing: boring, unable to finish and create something. Adriano was dismal on the night. It makes one wonder why Alex Grimaldo is likely on his way out and Adriano stays. As previously mentioned, Gumbau was terrible.
But the winner for best-worst performance by an FC Barcelona player vs. Bayer Leverkusen goes to Munir El Haddadi. The kid was hopeless on the night. It honestly felt like he was lost out there. Yes, he started the match in a different position, but to not even give a better effort was an embarrassment.
It's clear that in January, Aleix Vidal will become the regular backup RW over Munir. There's no way Luis Enrique can put in Munir in matches over Vidal. And with Sergi Roberto able to play RB whenever Dani Alves needs rest, Aleix Vidal can be solely utilized as a RW-only for the rest of the season.
Just when you think — by some slight chance — that Munir is turning the corner, he slams against the wall. Shameful and makes one long for Gerard Deulofeu.
Sandro was bad, but in a normal sense. Munir seemed like he wasnt even trying. Meanwhile, Deulofeu with 16 assists this season.
— Lucas Resende (@lucasammr) December 9, 2015
@barcastuff Munir shots, Take-ons http://pic.twitter.com/HWPjMGB6CI
— A D I L (@Barzaboy) December 9, 2015
On Monday, Barcelona will know who their opponent will be for the round of 16. The teams that could face Barcelona include: PSG, PSV, Benfica, Juventus, Arsenal, Dynamo Kiev and Gent. Barcelona has seen PSG in the Champions League for the past few seasons, while Arsenal is a familiar foe as well. It's possible to see a 2015 Champions League Final rematch with Juventus.
Barcelona will be heavy favorites against any opponent in the round of 16. Now, it's time to refocus on La Liga, with the FIFA Club World Cup on the horizon.
Som-hi!
Xoel
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