The stopped ball, the big 'Achilles heel' of Barça

Measure in front of the Athletic Bilbao in eighth of Glass was one of the things that less wished Xavi Hernández. The Basque group had all the arms to be able to carry the eliminatory, that besides was to only party in Saint Mamés. However, the ones of Marcelino García needed of the extention to be able to seal his pass to the following phase, no without before continue with his series of goals to unemployed balloon, a true 'bloodletting' for the Barcelona.

And it is that the 'lions' are some specialists in the aerial game. The 35 percent of his goals in League arrive by this road (7/20), without taking into account those that has marked in other competitions. It is important to remember as they achieved his pass to the final of the Supercopa of Spain in front of the Athletic of Madrid, in what it was a traced back that initiated precisely with a goal of head of Yeray after a corner of Iker Muniain.

In front of the Barça, the history repeated . After a fault, the Athletic put in practical his 'magic formula' and achieved a finish of head of Berenguer so that Íñigo Martinez finished to consume the ordeal culé. The Catalans are one of the worst Spanish teams defending the played prepared to unemployed balloon, and is the one who more goals fits by this road. Although have defenders of the category of Gerard Hammered and Ronald Araújo, the weaknesses and fortresses between both teams ranged perfectly. And it is that of the 477 aerial duels that has had the Barcelona in the season, 228 has lost them. Almost a 48 percent.

The ones of Aitor Elizegi finished in 19 opportunities, almost triplicando the Barcelona offensive productivity, that grieve arrived in seven occasions. Of these seven, only three were to door. One was the goal of Ferran Torres. It seems that all the work built in the party in front of the Real Madrid has gone to rack and ruin, and is the defensive weakness what does vulnerable to the group of Xavi Hernández. The blaugrana lose the half of his defensive duels, have here the need to reinforce the saga so much in the wintry market as in the veraniego. Although Dani Alves follow showing be to the height to his 38 years, already the 'holy cows' need a spare that 'clear' the panorama in the City Condal.

An old problem

You fail them defensive of the Barcelona is a problematic that has dragged the club from the exit of Ernesto Valverde of the bench. With Ronald Koeman, already the team was a coladero deep down, without taking in account the shameful (2-8) in front of the Bayern in that fateful Champions League that was arropada by the COVID. The lacks in the saga have to be attended, and the market of signings closes in so only 10 days.