Barcelona vs. Porto – European Super Cup – Match Review (Part 2)
Barcelona also had a lot of good players on the bench. This formation meant that Josep Guardiola utilized all the players who were a part of the Barcelona team last season. None of the new signings were utilized despite the fact that both of them have featured
for Barcelona at least once.
Jose http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paredes-c29129 was benched by Josep Guardiola as a substitute goalkeeper. The young defender Andreu Fontas was also benched by Josep Guardiola. Fontas has often featured
in the Barcelona first team and he even managed to score his first goal for the Catalan outfit. He scored his first goal against Rubin Kazan during the UEFA Champions League group stage.
The young http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santos-c32532 was also called up by Josep Guardiola. The Mexican star did not get the chance to play in the Barcelona first team during the night but he still managed to make it to the star studded bench.
While http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Busquets-c33048 also started the match from the bench. Josep Guardiola introduced him later into the game but he never started with the first team. Busquets replaced the Brazilian
full back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Mascherano-c18071 while Eric Abidal moved to the left back position.
The promising young midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-c34888 Alcantara also featured on the bench. Alcantara has proven his worth time and time again and he even played against Real Madrid which means he is able to cope up with the big match pressure. Alcantara didn’t really get
the chance to play with the team during the game.
Both the new signings, Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez, did not start with the team. While Alexis Sanchez is still trying to adapt the Barcelona style of play, Cesc Fabregas has fitted in perfectly. Fabregas scored his first goal with the club as they played
a friendly game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 team.
Alexis Sanchez was later introduced into the game while Cesc Fabregas also got the chance to shine with the team. Alexis Sanchez replaced http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 drifted to
his former right wing position while Cesc Fabregas featured as a false nine.
Barcelona played just like any other game as they managed to keep 69% possession of the ball compared to Porto’s 31%. They completed three times more passes than Porto and they were the better side in terms of possession and making chances. However, Porto’s
approach was quite direct and they looked hungry for goals whenever they had the ball at their feet.
As the game kicked off, Porto looked to be the better side but when Barcelona had their feet on the ground, there was nothing stopping them. They were simply phenomenal in the midfield and made life miserable for the Porto midfielders as they dominated at
the centre of the pitch.
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