Barcelona high morale helping them compete without respite
The games flow thick and fast and yet they are still doing well
Barcelona have been playing without respite. Ronald Koeman says the compressed calendar is killing football. But the wheel keeps turning. Barcelona are rowing against the current in La Liga, having started the season in a bad way.
It’s not can easy situation. They have improved but they still have water up to their necks.
Third after Madrid’s last triumph and 10 points behind Atletico having played a game more. It’s not an extreme situation where they are out o the top four but it’s hard to think it’s possible to win La Liga.
Today they face Real Betis with high morale from their painstaking victory over Real Betis. It was a game that increased their confidence and self-esteem.
Something has changed in recent weeks, not just in a footballing sense. Body language, face, the sensation that this is becoming a team.
They are outside their comfort zone and it’s growing them. Away from home, they have won a lot of matches they might not have before. The spine of the team has found structure.
Ter Stegen, Araujo, Alba, De Jong, Pedri and Messi. Busquets, Dembele and Griemann are growing too.
More than shifting to a 4-3-3 the detonator was Messi. He found his spirit and hunger and the team competed again.
Back on the road again tonight, he will start. There won’t be many changes in the line up. Dest, Lenglet and Dembele could come back in for Sergi Roberto (injured), Umtiti and Trincao.
The team is expected to be: Ter Stegen, Dest, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Pedri, De Jong; Dembélé, Messi, Griezmann.
