The center of the field is the Holy Grail of Barça. The point on which, since Johan Cruyff took the reins of the Barca team, at the end of the 80s, they have pivoted the essences of the touch game that he likes so much in the Camp Nou. Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta have been two of the great paradigms of players that fit like a glove in that style. And, on his arrival at the club, everything invited him to think that Arthur Melo was going to follow his steps correctly. The expectation generated by his first minutes as Barca, however, has given way to disappointment because of his lack of continuity. The physical problems, and some extra sports slip, have become his great ordeal, at a time when his presence could give the team that long-missed ball out, as it was seen before Real Madrid.

His physical condition even unleashed a series of rumors about his bad habits that, from the club, are vehemently denied. They claim that Arthur's discharge is due to his being injured. Nothing else. The Brazilian, however, has made a mistake that has not helped his image. TV3 revealed, for example, that he had gone to Andorra to snowboard while he was leaving for a pubalgia.

In the last classic, he missed the control of the game in the center of the field that has characterized the Barcelona team so much in recent years. Even the Barca coach, Ernesto Valverde, admitted without problems that his contest can be vital in many other matches.

When they "squeeze us too high"

«I don't know when he can come back. We are waiting for you to remit those inconveniences you have, which already penalized you last year. We are very good especially when there are teams that squeeze us very high, to get the game from behind, ”said the coach after Wednesday's 0-0. Last season, Arthur played 44 games with Barça, 27 in the League, nine in the Champions League, seven in the Copa del Rey and one in the Supercopa, although none of those who played as a starter in the league championship did not finish.

The injuries also forced him to miss a total of 10 duels (seven in the League, two in the Champions League and one in the Cup) last season. At present, he accumulates six absences in the League and two in the Cup and will not be able to play with the Barça team again until next year. For the last of 2019, the one played today against Alavés, also did not enter the call.

One of his possible spare parts, in addition, the young Riqui Puig, is still in limbo for now, although his emergence generated a lot of expectation. At the moment, it does not enter into the plans of a Valverde that does not foresee, in principle, ups or downs in the next winter market. «I have the ones I have and I don't expect any modification. Then, I don't know what will happen, ”said the technician at the press conference prior to the duel against Alavés.

Earrings of Busquets

«I don't think about reinforcements. I only think about what I have, ”said the coach, who trusts, yes, in being able to have a Sergio Busquets who could not play against Real Madrid, as he explained after the duel, by a feverish process. Badia's midfielder entered the call, unlike an Ansu Fati who was low due to a bruised hip.

The classic, of course, continued to focus much attention yesterday. Above all, following the criticisms that were produced by the fact that Real Madrid dominated many phases of the game. «We must always be clearly superior to the opposite so that our environment is happy. But sometimes we do it and sometimes we don't, ”he summed up

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Know more

  • Real Madrid
  • Ernesto Valverde
  • Sergio Busquets
  • Ansu Fati
  • Andres Iniesta
  • sports
  • FC Barcelona
  • football
  • Deportivo Alavés
  • First division

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