Because it was in Pucela where Xavi Hernández saved Louis van Gaal from dismissal with a goal, yes, with a header. Because it was in Pucela where a guy with sagging shoulders and sleepy eyes - blessed whiskey with orange Fanta - crashed into Urruti's hands. Mágico González was so deliciously earthy that he slipped, even if it was his way, into that League of Venables. And because it was also in Pucela where Tata Martino showed how protagonist a coach can be in a devastation. Quique Setién , on his visit to Valladolid, barely managed to stay on the good side of the border. Although for this he had to worship Ter Stegen. [0-1: Narration and statistics]

There is less and less time to continue doing the milkmaid's accounts. Specifically, three games for Barcelona, ​​four for Real Madrid. For the Catalans, while they dream of Zidane's team finally giving in before reaching the goal, they have no choice but to delay their opponent's rivalry. Even if it is through a contradictory game and much more tricky than apparent. Because Sergio González's Valladolid , a spirited team and very well worked from the blackboard, rarely breaks down. Not only that. The blanquivioletas, despite being behind on the scoreboard since dawn because of Arturo Vidal's inaugural club, disturbed Barça until the same twilight.

And that Setien, increasingly loose and interventionist, promised them happy to see how his footballers interpreted the return to the defense of three well. Sergi Roberto, a boy for everything, this time formed as central with Piqué and Lenglet. Riqui Puig erased from the game before time, was the one who tried to offer imbalance and overflow from the wide area with Busquets and Arturo Vidal. And before the substitution of Luis Suárez, Messi and Griezmann the offensive responsibilities were distributed.

Evil Griezmann

The plan seemed like a panacea during the first act, because the occasions were piling up and Valladolid was not snooping around Barcelona's territory. But Griezmann's bad leg denied any reassurance. The French, after linking two notable games, returned to the old ways. That is, to the errors in the definition . But also in unmarkings and in decision making. Although the look will be especially recreated in that action in which Griezmann, only in front of the goalkeeper after a side cross from Semedo, twisted his right foot so that the ball made him an ugly grimace. Setien, desperate, no longer let him out of the shower at the break.

Barcelona, ​​at least, could capitalize on the advantage obtained within a quarter of an hour. Messi, who offered clear symptoms of mental and physical exhaustion throughout the afternoon, was able to filter a good ball among the defenders before the advance of Arturo Vidal. And the Chilean, who had not scored a goal other than the first touch in three years, could feel most proud of the oriented control prior to the cross shot. The stick, an opponent, was a way station before the leather was already in the net.

At no time did Valladolid take out the white flag. On the contrary. Even before the intermission, and after Barcelona went astray again on their way back from the hydration break, Sergio González's men threatened to draw. Lenglet cleared back and Kike, much faster than Piqué, set out to duel in the sun in the area in front of Ter Stegen. But the midfielder, who knows how, stumbled alone. The Barca goalkeeper could not help but smile as he helped Kike to overcome the bad drink.

But the scene was only the preamble to what would come next. Because Barcelona, ​​just as it happened in the last derby and like in so many other matches, was going to commemorate an already known ordeal. Setien tried desperately to correct. Not only with the income of Luis Suárez, Rakitic or even Araujo, but returning for a while to 4-4-2. To then return to the defense of three, this time with Junior Firpo as the third central defender. Although nothing seemed enough to try to live in peace.

The Piqué protests

So Barcelona returned to surrender to the hands of Ter Stegen. The German goalkeeper stopped two head butts to Enes Ünal. And while Luis Suárez and Piqué claimed penalties of which Mateo Lahoz wanted nothing to know, Setién scrambled and looked at the clock.

There was no fainting possible in the match. And the Barça footballers, already with their hearts in their mouths, could not help but wait for Ter Stegen to avoid the tie with Sandro already in added time.

Barcelona is unable to live on its football. And he should be concerned, not so much for this League, but for a Champions League that is used to punishing agony.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Quique Setién
  • Arturo vidal
  • Valladolid
  • Luis Suarez
  • Real Madrid
  • sports

LaLiga Santander 2019 - 2020Ansu Fati conquers nothing

LaLiga Santander 2019 - 2020Barcelona releases its football on its return

LaLiga Santander 2019 - 2020Barcelona denies its demons

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