It’s not an entirely satisfying result, but we’ll take it. Sure beats losing to Espanyol, anyway. We’re not going to lash out on the team for this one… the draw is acceptable given the circumstances. And the circumstances here being the fact that this match comes just three days after the last one, a derby which didn’t exactly leave the lads in the highest of spirits, plus the fact that they were playing away, and had the whole trip from Spain to France to make. They couldn’t really have gotten more than two days’ worth of training for this one, and for that we’re cutting them some slack.
Also, since for the next leg we play at home, that means that a 0-0 draw is sufficient for us to qualify, which makes things a whole lot easier. Takes off some of the pressure too, but we don’t want the boys to slacken their performance because of that. We’re sure the result will be more favorable when we meet Lyon on Camp Nou.
As to the match itself, we’re going to break down team performance here and look at the separate parts of the squad. We felt that Victor looked a bit shaky at first, but he actually did a very good job and made some great saves later on. One thing you can say for Vic is that he doesn’t panic. He’s always quick to run out and go for the ball, even if it may seem a bit dangerous. As for the conceded goal, well, to quote Pep, “It was a brilliant goal and not even seven goalkeepers would have stopped it.” Enough said.
Defense was hot. Really, really hot. All four defenders—Dani, Rafa, Pique and Puyol—were on fire for this one, they were just amazing. And all were looking pretty fine as well; this is basically the hottest starting defense line Barca could have. Pep should play it more often. And again, that goal Juninho scored for Lyon was just crazy and you can’t blame anyone for it. Who ever heard of a direct goal from a corner, anyway?
Midfield was so-so. Busquets, as usual, can’t go a match without getting booked. Yaya, not so hot as he was against Espanyol, but his effort goeth not unnoticed. Poor Xavi is tired and it shows; the man must be rested! And we’re begging for Marquez to be made the one to take free kicks from now on, or at least until Xavi’s in better form.
Attack line—Henry didn’t do much but what he did do was lovely. Besides the fact that he equalized for us—perfect positioning for that goal he scored, and a great header as well. Messi was good, but not as amazing as he can be; anyway, the opposition defense really gave him a hard time. And then that leaves Eto’o… frankly, these last couple of matches he’s been seriously off form, to a point where we’re begging for him to be taken off for Bojan—and not just because we miss the ever adorable Baby Bo. With the way Samu’s been playing, having Bojan on instead would seriously be much better for the attack.
But then, we can always just attribute bad form to the exhaustion factor, the tight match schedule, and the traveling. So, with that in mind, we’re okay with this result. Just as long as the team comes out of this midseason crisis they’re going through, and we see some more wins soon.
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