Barcelona’s Winning Run Pushes Them Up the Table
Barcelona’s strong form continued in Serbia, where they secured their seventh straight win across all competitions, boosting their UEFA Champions League standing. The Catalans’ 5-0 victory over Crvena Zvezda has pushed them up to sixth place, with only a few clubs like Liverpool and Inter Milan currently ahead.
Barcelona Maintains Control in a Daunting Atmosphere
Rajko Mitic Stadium presented a lively and challenging environment as fans packed the stands, creating a fortress-like atmosphere with deafening support for Crvena Zvezda. However, young lineup showed remarkable poise, unfazed by the opposition crowd, as they maintained control from the first whistle. Though the first half saw the team playing with measured tempo, Barcelona elevated their intensity after the break, fully securing the win without letting their guard down.
Jules Kounde Shines with a Hat-Trick of Assists
While entire squad stepped up, Jules Kounde stood out as a game-changer. The right-back, who has made a remarkable transition from center-back, produced a phenomenal performance with three assists. His link-up play was key to Barcelona’s fluid attack, assisting goals for Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez. Kounde’s efforts extended beyond these assists, with four key passes, three defensive actions, and a high pass accuracy, making him essential to Barcelona’s victory.
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Areas for Improvement: Martin and De Jong Struggle to Impress
Despite the overwhelming positives from night in Belgrade, two players struggled to meet the high standards set by the team. Gerard Martin’s inexperience showed, as he found it difficult to mark his man and misplaced passes in critical areas. His lapse in marking also contributed to Crvena Zvezda’s single goal.
Captain Frenkie de Jong’s return from injury was less impactful than hoped. While he avoided blatant errors, his cautious approach limited Barcelona’s drive in the midfield. His tendency toward conservative passing restricted the team’s momentum, while his presence shifted Pedri into a more advanced role, which diluted his usual control in the midfield.
Barcelona’s convincing win over Crvena Zvezda showcased their quality and growing consistency. With Kounde leading an impressive defensive and offensive effort, the team demonstrated resilience under pressure. However, to keep their winning momentum, Barcelona must address vulnerabilities highlighted by Martin and De Jong’s performances, ensuring they capitalize on this successful streak as they continue in the Champions League.
