It’s time to hit the table, by Carles Rexach

Barça is taking on a different air since Atlético’s good triumph at the Camp Nou. In the derby with Espanyol and in the first leg of the Europa League against Napoli it was tied, but it could have been won perfectly, and the Mestalla match was a great example of the team’s ability to adapt, that when they have to put on the overalls work knows how to do it. Valencia is a team that breaks the game and commits a lot of fouls, but Barça knew how to get into their game and then managed to have the ball to play their football. Against Atlético and Valencia, the goal was easy to see and that is a great sign for the team to continue growing. Even second-tier players -Frenkie de Jong and Gavi- and defenders -Jordi Alba, Araujo and Dani Alves- managed to score in these games. When anyone can score a goal, the team achieves the necessary calm to pick up cruising speed and Xavi himself can also face games with more calm. We are in a sweet phase and we need to hit the table by eliminating Napoli. In the first leg we had chances to take the victory and now in the second leg we have to play without fear, going for them. Napoli will have the help of their fans, but if Barça win that game it will be a very important morale boost for the rest of the season. I’m not saying that if we eliminate Napoli we will win the Europa League, but it will be a message to the rest of the teams that Barça can return to the top. With the winter signings, which seem to be adapting well to the group, Barça now has many alternatives so that the team is not predictable. Before, the team was very conditioned by casualties and could not do great things. Now, Barça has reinforced the squad well and in attack there are level players who can be decisive. Aubameyang showed it in Valencia and we must not forget Ferran Torres, Luuk de Jong, Adama, the rediscovered Dembélé and the still injured Memphis. With this offensive gunpowder the way of playing is changed a lot and there are reasons to dream.

Lights with basketball and shadows with the subsidiary

Barça de basket won the Copa del Rey again after a very exciting game against Real Madrid. The duel started very badly, with just five points in the first quarter, but it ended in a fantastic way. One more Cup, again against the whites. Since the arrival of Saras, the azulgrana have taken the measure of Laso’s Madrid and this year they promise to meet again later in the season. If the triumph of Barça basketball was one of the positive notes of the weekend, the negative was that Barça B still hasn’t won and maintains its bad dynamics. Sergi has a problem, since many of the players who have come up with the first team and now return to the reserve team are disenchanted. People may think that if they downgrade it must be synonymous with better performance, but they must have some time to adapt to their new reality. I continue to trust that there will be a reaction

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