Debutant Marc Guo saved Barca with a superb goal

With that, it’s enough to beat Athletic in a match with more drive than pace. In it he showed that, deep down, despite everything, he was in an unhappy moment.

The champion is kept afloat in his youth. Lamin Yamal’s appearance, Fermin Lopez’s presentation, Kawi’s leadership… and Mark Gu’s star appearance. It’s good news for a team without football and stripes to show its champion status, for which losses from Lewandowski to Frenkie de Jong weigh heavily on it.

This is how Barcelona will handle Real Madrid’s next game in the most delicate moment since the start of the season. Having drawn two of their last six games and won at least four, the wonder of Celta, an own goal from Sergio Ramos and the appearance of Guo, did not invite the champions’ football confidence. Waiting for Madrid in these conditions is not the best news.

With Frenkie de Jong injured, Barca lost ground and their dominance from the center of the field was diluted until it disappeared. Kavi’s tireless spirit, Gundogan’s unflinching character and Fermin’s ultimate rebellion are not enough for a team that lives on impulse rather than toughness, he spoke for several minutes about what athletes such as Porto or Celta have already done. .

The Basque side dominated and almost scored in the final half of a disastrous first half for Xavi’s side, who started with pretense. Der Stegen saved two shots from Williams to make it 0-1 almost consecutively.

The Barça coach is lucky for the patience and militancy of the fans who come to Montjuic, who do not show impatience and are loyal in their spirit and support for the team, no matter how unresponsive to their footballing expectations and fun. Being fancied against Betis or Antwerp is more and more remote.

That luck and spirit, personalizing their young ideals and joining the cause, is enough, for now, to keep Barca on its feet. Between wonder and persuasion, Barça resists.