1×1 of Barça: Griezmann decides, but does not convince

This was the performance of Barça in the 1-0 victory against Elche, in the Joan Gamper trophy.

Net: He only had one shot on goal in the ninety minutes, but the shot was extremely difficult, since it was point-blank inside the area and with a teammate covering the ball. Even so he was able to intuit where the ball was going and clear, before the astonished look of Bri, the author of the shot.

Sergi Roberto: He still offers many gaps when it comes to centering, although he makes up for this with his inordinate ambition to go up the wing. On this occasion it should be noted that in the second half he was much more precise in his centers, leaving free balls to both Fati and Griezmann.

Pique: The center-back completed a very serious game, with hardly any cracks in his game. Perfect in anticipation and when putting pressure on the attacker to prevent him from turning around. He was very close to scoring a great cross from Messi's free-kick, but Lenglet annoyed him when he headed in.

Lenglet: Made some punctual unforced errors when getting the ball. He was not very comfortable, to the point of hindering a goal from Piqué.

Sunrise: He started serving a spectacular ball to Griezmann to score the first goal. However, it was one of the few connections he was able to execute in the offensive phase.

Sergio Busquets: Koeman wants to manage it, aware that his physique does not allow him to endure all the games and he has to know how to modulate. He's still quite comfortable in this new defensive pivot position. He played 62 minutes at a more than correct level.

De Jong: He lost a ball in the risk zone due to the insistent pressure of the rival, but the Dutchman continues to add arguments to believe that this season can be much more important and decisive in his role in the midfield.

Coutinho: Good game for the Brazilian, who was very active in the offensive phase, offering many resources when it came to continuing the game. In addition, he was “given away” more than one spectacular dribble, which unfortunately he could not conclude with success. It seems that in Koeman's system, playing as a playmaker, he has found the peace. It is not to shoot rockets, but the sensations are not bad.

Messi: The Argentine crack is a professional like the crown of a pine tree. Despite reluctantly staying at the club, he continues to show his talents with every ball he touches. Generous with his teammates, distributing the game, giving assists and finishing on goal as soon as he can. His best chance was a free-kick that Badia stopped ‘in extremis’ and later a play where the shot could not fully adjust it.

Ansu Fati: Its premiere this season could not be more exciting. He went from less to more, being by far, along with Leo and Coutinho, the most daring when it came to facing one on one. He only lacked the goal, which he sought insistently. He had two very clear chances: one to a header that came out close to the post and another to a dry shot after a good cut.

Griezmann: The Frenchman scored a goal when the substitutes had hardly yet sat in the stands. The action began with a great pass into space from Messi to Alba, which ended with a great pass to the area that Antoine finished off with the first touch to the back of the net. Despite the goal, his game was with more shadows than lights. He is still out of place and many times he is seen disconnected from the team in this position that Koeman wants to impose on him as a center forward.

Substitutions

Pjanic: Koeman announced that the Bosnian is not yet one hundred percent and the truth is that in the thirty minutes he was on the field he was a bit slow and confused. Even so, he tried the shot on goal twice with shots from outside the area.

Dembélé: The French goes his own way. He has an enormous talent, he has many virtues in his game, but he often makes mistakes when making decisions, turning his game into a real roller coaster of sensations.

Trincao: The Portuguese continues to promise a lot and gives very good feelings. He was very close to scoring after a great assist from Coutinho.

Pedri: The canary was the one who played the least, but that did not prevent him from giving glimpses of his quality.