Barcelona 2-2 Valencia: Report card as Carles Alena completes graduation day

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  • Carles Alena

    It’s a rare occasion when Lionel Messi scores twice and it’s not enough to secure all three points for Barcelona.

    The Argentine icon dragged his side to a draw with Valencia after the hosts fell 2-0 with just 32 minutes played.

    But not for the first time, and certainly not for the last, Messi’s magic was enough to ensure Barca did not come away from an entertaining clash with the prospect of their La Liga lead vanishing.

    Kevin Gameiro fired home the opener in the 24th minute after Rodrigo Moreno drove down the middle of the pitch unchallenged and slipped a pass through to the Frenchman.

    Sergi Roberto sent Daniel Wass tumbling as they challenged for Denis Cheryshev’s cross and Dani Parejo converted from the spot in the 32nd minute.

    Then Messi arrived. The 31-year-old scored a penalty of his own before half-time then curled home a beautiful equaliser after the break.

    Despite Messi’s 11th goal in his last nine matches in all competitions, Barcelona’s run of eight successive La Liga wins came to an end.

    THE GOOD

    Graduation day for Alena

    Given Messi deserves an entire article dedicated to his sumptuous second goal we turn our attentions elsewhere for now. Carles Alena is a good place to start.

    One of the biggest gripes Barca fans have at the moment is the shortage of fresh talent coming through La Masia. But at least one player has now graduated.

    Alena started just his second league game of the season, yet the 21-year-old showed he’s ready for a full-time position because he has clearly accented from La Masia with a degree in engineering such was the way he tunneled through Valencia.

    The midfielder showed great poise, speed, balance, finesse and awareness during his 66 minutes on the field. Injury curtailed his opportunities in the early part of the season but he looks quality and ready to make up for lost time.

    H certainly should be considered ahead of Arthur right now and Frenkie de Jong has competition as well.

    THE BAD

    Suarez slowing down

    Luis Suarez in action against Valencia

    Luis Suarez in action against Valencia

    Luis Suarez has been written off more times than a soap actor, but regardless, it’s hard to deny that the Uruguayan is slowing day with age.

    The No9 is hallmarked by aggression and intensity, yet those traits eat up a lot of energy and having played 90 minutes against Sevilla on Thursday, Suarez was forced to play through another full quota on Saturday.

    He turned 32 late last month and it’s obvious that playing multiple times in a seven-day period is waning on him.

    And it’s not even his fault he turns out awkward displays like he did against Valencia. Granted, no player was caught offside more than Suarez and on at least two occasions, he dramatically slowed down Barca counter-attacks, yet he desperately needs a dynamic and young back-up.

    This is a position the club must seek to fill in the summer.

    KEY MOMENTS

    24th min GOAL Valencia 1-0: The visitors take the lead albeit with a hint of controversy. The move started with Messi being shoved to the ground on the edge of Valencia’s box and they break ferociously. Rodrigo plays Gameiro through on the right and the Frenchman finds a crisp finish.

    32nd min GOAL Valencia 2-0: Soft one. Sergi Roberto gently ushers Daniel Wass to the ground and captain Parejo smashes a perfect spot-kick home to double Los Che’s advantage.

    39th min GOAL Barcelona 1-2: Nelson Semedo is tripped in the box and although Messi curls home a delicious strike, the whistle is already blown for a penalty. Inconsequential, though, as Messi sends Neto the wrong way to reduce the arrears.

    64th min GOAL Barcelona 2-2 Valencia: Suarez loses the ball on the edge of the box but it falls to Messi who shifts the ball onto his left and bends a beautiful strike past four defenders and inside the post to equalise for Barca.

    Lionel Messi equalises for Barcelona

    Lionel Messi equalises for Barcelona

    TACTICAL TALKING POINT

    Roberto is not a left-back

    Sergi Roberto’s intelligence has almost been a disservice to him because his ability to function in multiple roles has seen him constantly shifted away from his prime position.

    The 26-year-old is a converted full-back from centre-midfield but it’s a role which has always looked an uneasy one for him.

    From an attacking standpoint, he offers a lot, defensively he can be exposed and that was the case against Valencia when he curiously started at left-back.

    Two critical errors from him cost the hosts because they both led to goals. He failed to press Rodrigo as as the Valencia forward drifted through acres of space to set-up Gameiro and then it was his pretty pathetic push on Wass which handed Los Che a penalty.

    Yes, he’s versatile but Ernesto Valverde is asking far too much of him.

    VERDICT

    Barcelona – D

    You lose count the amount of times Messi has masked Barca’s problems and he did his best to do so again. A large party frustrated on Saturday night and it continues a trend of poor performances in recent weeks.

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