Few novelties in the eleven of Barça in Elche. If anything Samuel Umtiti, that after being disappeared from Granada he played alongside Araújo in defense. Without Messi, Koeman lined up Dembélé, Griezmann and Braithwaite up front. Mingueza kept his place as an emergency winger and Busquets, Pedri and De Jong have already settled in the center of the field. This was the one by one of Barça
Ter Stegen. He saved the furniture for his defense with a save to Rigoni in the second half after a coordination error by Umtiti and Araújo, but especially by Mingueza. He remembered the famous Casillas pass to Robben. In reflexes, one of the best in the world. He had a mistake with the ball at his feet.
Mingueza. He was about to send a correct game to limbo with an unforgivable mistake by a Barça player. It almost caused the 1-1. For the rest, he does not have the best conditions to be a winger, nor surely the quality to be a starter at Barça, but he reads games well and has a job even though he is young. He complied, although he almost spoiled it.
Araújo. Is awesome. The new leader of Barça's defense. Unapproachable.
Umtiti. If he recovered his physical level, the title would easily compete with Lenglet. Only relaxation could play a trick on him in the play that could mean 1-1.
Jordi Alba. He was lavish in attack and did not suffer excessively with Josan, who is one of Elche's fittest players.
Sergio Busquets. Job. It has become essential for Koeman and, pending more physical matches, it is a guarantee. He saw a yellow card and will not be able to play against Athletic. Opportunity for Pjanic. Busquets could not rest in Vallecas
De Jong. Another goal and another assist in a fantastic month for the Dutchman, who scored against Huesca, in Córdoba against Real Sociedad, and this Sunday in Elche. Total metamorphosis. Koeman's decision to overtake him a few meters, key.
Pedri. Essential to sew Barça football. It moves fantastically between the lines. He is very good and knocks on the door of the National Team with force. Settled.
Dembélé. It is evident that he tries to put on certain stripes and demonstrate a certain hierarchy. With his things, he begins to be a more consistent player. Have more or less success, it is about getting a certain regularity. When he began to lose balls, Koeman, with success, replaced him.
Braithwaite. Give your maximum. Worker, the 0-1 play came out of his boots.
Griezmann. False nine, he tried to detect Elche's defensive weaknesses by throwing himself back a few meters. Gray match. He saw yellow card.
In the second part they appeared:
Trincao. Very active and good on the right wing. He gave more things than Dembélé and had three occasions, two of them clear, that he could not transform into a goal. One step forward.
Riqui Puig. He took advantage of his minutes with his first official goal with Barça. He headed in a great play from Frenkie De Jong.