By Darwin Largo
For Barcelona it was important to get a good result this Thursday, in the match against Unionistas de Salamanca for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. They had suffered a heavy defeat against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final just a few days earlier and that had sparked criticism of the players and Xavi Hernandez. Rumors even began to circulate of a possible change of coach if things did not improve.
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But winning was not enough for Los Blaugranas. Considering that they were facing a team of lesser quality, it was also necessary for them to show a satisfactory performance to reassure the fans. The first part of the mission was accomplished, as they won 3-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. But the level of the team only increased the doubts for the future.
During the first half Unionistas de Salamanca surprised Barcelona with a bold and solid plan. Defensively they were very concentrated and prevented the talented players from receiving the ball near the box, while when they had the opportunity they attacked Iñaki Peña. With this scenario, the opener was scored by the hosts through Álvaro Gómez in the 31st minute. However, before the break Ferrán Torres netted the leveller.
In the second half things changed completely. Unionistas no longer had the energy to compete with Barcelona and it showed. Interestingly, it was two defenders who scored the team's goals: first Jules Koundé, with a strong shot from outside the box, and then Alex Balde, with a beautiful individual play in which he dribbled past several rival players and shot powerfully with his left foot.
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The victory was not enough to make Xavi Hernandez happy. Every time the TV cameras caught him, his gestures were of annoyance and concern. He knows that with performances like this it will be very difficult for them to compete with Real Madrid, Girona and Atlético Madrid and win a title this season.
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