Rakitic’s second youth before visiting the Bernabéu

After a more than hesitant start to the season, in which the easiest thing was to think that he would never return to his best level, Ivan Rakitic has been a month of notable matches in which he is also contributing goals and assists. The Croatian culminated his good weeks with a great match against Wolfsburg, in which he pulled out a precise center at the head of Jordan for the Catalan to open the scoreboard.

With two and a half more years of contract ahead, Rakitic did not start well the year of his return to Nervión in the 20-21, but it was intoned in the final stretch of the championship. The lack of a pre-season to suit him and the need to adapt to Lopetegui’s model were the alibis for the Croatian, who had this past summer to rest since he retired from the Balkan national team and did not play in the Eurocup.

So he was able to work from the beginning of the return to training, with the serious setback of many days absent from the group because of the coronavirus. After two weeks of absence in the sessions, which also left him without playing the first day of the League, Rakitic was able to rejoin.

But it has taken considerably longer to reach this a good version that many describe, at 33, of a second youth for Ivan. Two goals (from penalties) and one assist in the Champions League, and another goal pass against Osasuna and the goal that certified the tie against Alavés, in discount, in the League, open great hope with a footballer who does reach a certain level physical is top and what next Sunday he returns to a stadium where he played great games as a Barcelona player, the Santiago Bernabéu.