The striker was the match-winner on Saturday
Predicting Ernesto Valverde’s line-ups this season has been tricky business and once again he threw in a surprise on Saturday, bringing Paco Alcacer in from the cold for the visit of Sevilla.
Alcacer’s future at the club has looked in real doubt with the striker consistently left out of the squad, until he returned in the Copa del Rey against Murcia, and scored.
Still no one was seriously expecting him to start against Sevilla, but credit to Valverde, not only did he start, he scored both goals as Barca passed a tough test.
Valverde was quick to praise Alcacer after the game for taking his chance in the first team.
"He got two important goals and we hope that they give him the confidence that strikers need," he said.
"We are happy with him and for the team. He has not played a lot and he has shown that he is a goalscorer and we are happy.
"I have a strong side here and anyone can come in and score. It is to the credit of the player that he can come in with the pressure on and perform."
Source | Marca
Meanwhile, a quick look at the statistics (thanks to Opta), suggests that perhaps Alcacer deserves to start a few more games.
9 - Paco Alcacer has scored nine goals in his last nine starts for Barcelona in all competitions. Productive. https://t.co/GlnWTuoREj
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 4, 2017
At the very least, Alcacer has shown Barca do have another option in attack, and another player who can provide goals and ease the burden on Lionel Messi.
Luis Suarez remains badly out of form, although he hasn’t been called up by Uruguay so will get something of a break now, whether that will be enough to restore his powers remains to be seen.
Alcacer, meanwhile, must surely be pushing for a start when La Liga resumes, the striker brought goals tonight which will surely give him confidence, two things which Suarez is missing right now.
from Barca Blaugranes - All Posts http://ift.tt/2A8Fcg8
0 التعليقات:
إرسال تعليق