FC Barcelona narrowly won the last La Liga game of the calendar year 3-2 against bottom team Almeria. There had already been clear whistles at halftime. Now a controversial marketing trip to the USA awaits.
Savior in need: Sergi Roberto (left) shot Barcelona to victory – President Laporta looks critical. Getty Images
Does that really have to be the case? In the current situation? FC Barcelona fans certainly asked themselves these questions in view of the last game before the turn of the year. This does not mean the home game against bottom team Almeria, but the marketing trip to the USA, which is scheduled for the day after the last La Liga game of the 2023 calendar year.
On December 20th, the Catalans fly to the United States of America to face Club America in Dallas on December 21st. Sources close to the club, whose anonymity should be protected, speak of income of five million euros for the game. Money that Barça’s cash-strapped coffers are happy to take.
But the timing is more than questionable. Barcelona, which is already plagued by injuries, finds itself in an extremely precarious sporting situation. Even the Almeria hurdle was almost too high. Xavi’s team, which was recently very unsettled and no longer undisputed, started with speed. But apart from a header from Sergi Roberto, there was little offensive in the first half hour (8th).
And then a standard had to help. Araujo’s header from Gündogan’s corner demanded everything from the Almeria keeper Luis Maximiano, who was in a brilliant mood that day and was later voted “Man of the Match” – Raphinha scored powerfully from close range (33′). But the lead didn’t last long because Araujo canceled the offside on the other side and Leo Baptistao struck ice-cold (41′).
Also because Almeria would have completely turned the game around seconds before Leo Baptistao made the substitution, Barcelona were sent off to the dressing room with a concert of whistles.
Ferran Torres brings a breath of fresh air
With the change of sides, Xavi brought in two new players, with Ferran Torres in particular providing a breath of fresh air. The Spaniard narrowly missed making it 2-1 on a pass from Lewandowski – Luis Maximiano was once again in the way (49′).
After an hour it was an exemplary header from Sergi Roberto after Raphinha’s corner that put Barcelona back on the winning path (60′). Due to a sloppy ball from Lewandowski, the Blaugrana didn’t get the chance to make a preliminary decision shortly afterwards.
And then suddenly it was 2-2 because Inaki Pena unmotivatedly jumped into Araujo after a harmless cross and let the ball fall – Edgar thanked him (71′). Barcelona wanted a direct answer, but Araujo’s header whizzed past the right (74′).
Inaki Pena still saves Barcelona
At the start of the final quarter of an hour, Gündogan had a huge chance with his head, but put the ball past the goal on the right (78th). So the captain had to do it again: Sergi Roberto, who almost scored a hat-trick in stoppage time (90th + 3), was beautifully cleared by Lewandowski and made the final score 3-2 (83rd).
However, Barcelona almost wasn’t enough to take the lead for the third time, but Inaki Pena made up for his mistake with an outstanding save against Baba from close range (87′).
After the US trip, Barcelona hardly has any time off before they face Las Palmas on January 4th. The game in the Copa del Rey then awaits before the trip to the Supercopa in Saudi Arabia in mid-January.
2023-12-20 20:20:07
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