Does Barcelona even need a reform? | Aftonbladet

Of: Makoto Asahara

Published: March 21, 2021 at 11:08 p.m.
Updated: March 21, 2021 at 11:20 p.m.

Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce / Getty Images Europe

FOOTBALL

A seemingly prosperous Lionel Messi broke records in style and showed why he goes beyond the rules of economic logic when a star team is renewed in the summer.

But how expensive and extensive does the renovation really need to be?

It is time to start taking this edition of Barcelona very seriously as well.

We can start with the record that was broken.

When Lionel Messi, with the captain’s armband on his arm, stumbled out of the Anoeta stadium, he made his 768 competitive match in the Barcelona jersey, more than anyone else.

A record that stands out in the collection of records that the little Argentine has managed to collect over the years.

And also a fairly clear answer to why a Barcelona in economic crisis is so eager to extend its, to say the least, lucrative contract.

Lionel Messi for Barcelona is more than figures on paper. He’s more than the brightest team star of all time. It is also synonymous with success in the club.

And is he sure that, after all that has been said, seems to prosper in this Barcelona?

Or yes, who wouldn’t enjoy the Barcelona we saw on Sunday?

768 reasons

Real Sociedad’s 6-1 pulverization impressions are guaranteed to be an advantage rather than a disadvantage when new former president Joan Laporta and his colleagues sit down with Messi and join the entourage and negotiate deals this summer.

After all, Lionel Messi has wanted a powerful Barcelona.

That’s precisely the look that sparked the star-studded speculations that flourished before the transfer window opened.

When Laporta assumed the presidency with pomp and circumstance earlier this month, it was as if those financial concerns suddenly disappeared from the consciousness of the Spanish media. Now there is no talk of destroying piggy banks to find something with which to solve Eric García and Memphis Depay. Now there is talk of paying agency fees to David Alaba’s representatives and buying Erling Braut Haaland for billions. This, along with Messi’s expensive extension, straight and open, is a goal for the incoming regime.

Like I said, you can see 768 reasons why you want to keep your talisman, at any cost.

There are also reasons to keep some other stars.

A powerful Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann turned 30 on Sunday. This new, less well thought out, multi-billion dollar acquisition that must sell for a lot of money in every one of the Haalande equations ever made. He made it 0-1 when he carefully stopped in the right place at the right time on a goalkeeper return. Considering how alert and alert he looked, most of the time since the turn of the year, he was not a surprising scorer. When Ousmane Dembele, another billionaire recruit who is described as a potential power replacement, went 0-5 after a solo foray through an unguarded penalty area, it was at least as expected.

Lionel Messi then? He celebrated his new record by dictating conditions, assisting emerging outfielders, elevating an outside goal to a 0-4 goal on a completely magical Sergio Busquets sandwich from the center circle and then ending the match circle by almost humblingly placing 1-6. after a tie. most magical pass combination.

So when the final whistle sounded, Real Sociedad were not only deprived of possession of the ball for an entire Sunday night, but were also completely run over.

But most of all, it was a brilliant endeavor by a Barcelona whose title dreams of, believe it or not, actually still lives on at its finest. Another feather in the cap for questioning, to say the least, Ronald Koeman’s route-winning 3-4-3 changeover and another show of strength from a unique 18-year-old named Pedri.

In other words, this Barcelona is as powerful as it is.

It is worth noting …

Now, of course, we must not lose ourselves in praise and forget all that is called Champions League matches and all the meager previous league efforts. There are still some renovation needs. But are they Erling Braut Haaland-great?

At the same time that we ask ourselves that question, Alexander Isak did what he could in an extensive “La Real”. He put Frenkie De Jong aside, put Marc-André Ter Stegen to the test, and basically represented the only thing of value that created a loose home offense from David Silva (yes, aside from the delightful 1-5 reduction from the wonderful kid Ander Barrenetxea). The Barcelona connection has been drawn before. The Swedish platform still feels more accessible, realistic and reasonable than the advertised Norwegian one.

A little consolation for Alexander Isak on an evening like this. But it’s still worth noting.

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Published: March 21, 2021 at 11:08 p.m.

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