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The quality of that match from Barcelona’s point of view can be gauged by the fact that immediately afterwards, no one really cared how much Lionel Messi earned or, reportedly, how much he earned.
Most would say it’s worth every penny, but that’s a discussion for another day. His perfect free kick was enough to hit those who had had a field day on Sunday after the El Mundo headlines were broken. Six hundred and fifty and counting.
No, this was Barça back to a place that was approaching its prime for the most part, and against an Athletic Club too physical to boot, let’s not forget.
It was great to see the Blaugranes come in at some point and not let Los Leones get away with that.
Ronald Koeman would not have liked the regularity with which the visitors destroyed Barça’s right-back, and in a more unknown role than usual, Oscar Mingueza found himself lacking.
However, his defense, like his colleagues, at least had a purpose, and he will learn from having to endure such a beating in case he needs to be a substitute for Sergino Dest again.
Barça certainly deserved the victory on the night, and that they obtained it was due in large part to the contributions of Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann.
I would even dare to suggest that this was Dembélé’s best performance in the Barça jersey to date. It was everywhere.
A constant threat on the channels, rarely one step away from scoring a goal, and the kind of defense that has rarely been seen from him.
Ditto Griezmann. We’ve come to understand how hard he works for the team, whether he’s on the roster or not, and when he finishes like he did on Sunday, it’s sublime. Mingueza also receives congratulations for a beautiful cross.
Griezmann’s work rhythm was tremendous, his pass in the main and the goal that takes Barça above Real Madrid in the table is very sweet.
It could be said that Samuel Umtiti also deserves a mention. He was never the fastest of the players, he was able to use his defensive ability to fight the incisive Inaki Williams.
Athletic looks at a different proposal with Marcelino, and there will not be too many teams that repel his incessant career, breaking with deep and physical capacities.
Make no mistake, these are three very well earned points.
