Three talking points from UD Barbastro 2-3 Barcelona | Copa del Rey | OneFootball

Barcelona’s third official competition of the season commenced on Sunday night. The Catalans travelled to the province of Huesca in Spain to take on Union Deportiva Barbastro in their first Copa del Rey fixture of the season, and the game was far from a walk in the garden.

The Catalans took an early lead through Fermin Lopez in the 18th minute before Raphinha doubled their lead five minutes after the break.

Adria de Mesa fired a special goal to bring one back for the hosts before Robert Lewandowski’s penalty in the 88th minute appeared to set the result in stone.

Despite being in the Spanish fourth division, however, Barbastro gave Barcelona a serious run for their money in the second period. Marc Prat’s late goal set in a state of panic with a Barbastro comeback no longer out of question. Yet, Barcelona held on to their slender lead and qualified for the next round of the competition.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points from UD Barbastro 2-3 FC Barcelona.

Job done

For what matters, Barcelona getting away with a win in regulation time in a knockout fixture is big news in itself for Xavi. The Blaugranas’ recent form, after all, has not been much better.

Heading into the clash as overwhelming favourites on paper and with a crowd of thousands of fans jeering against them, many expected Barcelona’s mental fortitude to be tested.

Yet, they began the game and conducted it with great intention. There was no dearth of chances for the Azulgranas against UD Barbastro, for they created a staggering six big chances on the night.

Further, they had 24 shots, 11 of which were on target and eight of which were blocked.

How deeply one can read into the aforementioned statistics to draw conclusions about Barcelona’s form is debatable. Some may argue that the scoreline should have been more dominant against a fourth-division team while others will praise the team’s ability to at least find three goals in the current goal-scoring situation.

All that matters, however, is that Barcelona have got the job done and are through to the Round of 16. The next round, quite clearly, has no easy opposition.

From smooth to scrappy

Xavi has some thinking to do. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Barcelona’s clash against Las Palmas midweek, and the team’s games before that, followed a queer trend. In most of their recent clashes, Xavi’s men have been outplayed in the first half, often even conceding the opening goal.

Then comes a period of retrospection in the dressing room before they return determined to pull off a comeback late in the game.

Last night’s clash, in that sense was very different. Barcelona began the game with smooth sailing and were comfortably the better side in the first half. However, the second half saw the player once again go scrappy.

The Blaugranas were far from overrun in the second half, but they often gave Barbastro the chance to pounce on a ruthless counter. The defence, at times, was non-existent with Inaki Pena also making rookie errors.

The second half saw the fourth-tier team gifted with two big chances, both of which they put away with clinical precision. Just like the last league game, it was only a penalty-based goal that set Barcelona apart against Barbastro last night.

The other knockout cup

Having won their first two games of the new season, Barcelona have well and truly turned around their situation in terms of results. However, they now head to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Spanish Super Cup which boasts of some of Spain’s biggest names competing in a two-round knockout tournament.

Heading into the semi-final against Osasuna off the back of last night’s win will give Barcelona confidence. However, playing with such high stakes is a completely different ball game when faced against a first-division side when compared to a fourth-division side.

As the defending champions of the Spanish Super Cup, there will be pressure on Barcelona’s shoulders to get the job done again. Yet, a lot must change in a few days for it to have a tangible chance.

It thus remains to be seen what version of the Catalans’ core will appear on the field in Saudi Arabia later this week. The results could make or break Barcelona’s confidence for the rest of the season.