Barca Not So Fancy This Time

Barca Not So Fancy for the 2013 Spanish Super Cup Final

FC Barcelona had a tough night at the Camp Nou playing the final of the 2013 Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid. It was an awful performance by Barca in their own turf; some of the players were not even mentioned much by the announcers due to lack of involvement in the pitch. It was just not the kind of game that most fans were expecting. Atletico Madrid on the other hand ‘just parked the bus’ they were playing so defensive and relied on their counterattacks to do some damage to Barca.

Both teams were horrible and the match did not fulfill the expectations.

Cesc Fabregas was a little off and Sanchez was nowhere to be seen, it seemed as if he was not in the game at all. He has been in the Barca squad for two years, so he should be more efficient by now. Messi; though often marked by three opponents, was also missing in action. The Argentine star tried some runs but was often fouled and was not able to apply his magic. But Messi missed a penalty in a crucial moment in a very rough much and for that reason he also did not shine at all.

What was up with Neymar? He was slipping and loosing his balance way too much, he better find a pair of new cleats with longer spikes next time. Gerard Pique looked like he was playing a pick up game in the park; Jordi Alba was not connecting with his teammates as well as Xavi, Busquets and Dani Alvez. The only one that had a great performance was Victor Valdes; his cat-like reflects as a goalkeeper really showed up for this final and his saves were key to walk away with the victory.

Atletico Madrid had a horrible performance too. Simeone’s men played much better at home in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup. At Camp Nou, they did not take advantage of the few chances they had in front of Valdes and for that reason they were showing some frustration at the end of the match.

Though much was expected from Barca they were the victors, and Atletico Madrid showed that they would be a tough team to beat during this season and that is just very good for La Liga.