Summary: Salamanca - Barcelona 3:1 (Cup round of 16)/Sport1
Barcelona struggled in the previous round of the King's Cup in Spain and moved up a level only after 90 tense minutes that ended in a 2:3 victory over Barbastro from the fourth division, and if anyone expected that tonight (Thursday) things would look different against Unionistas de Salamanca, they were mistaken.
As expected, Barcelona advanced to the quarter-finals, but only after completing a 3:1 turnaround over their rival from the third division.
In recent days, the Catalan media has repeatedly reported that Xavi's position in Barcelona is stable, but the pressure is still increasing following the 4:1 loss to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, and today's unconvincing victory will certainly not add to his situation and that of the team.
The stars rose, the preparation players decided.
Barcelona players celebrate in Salamanca/GettyImages
In the previous round, Salamanca stunned Villarreal and today they were also on the right track for a sensation when Albero Gomes scored with a beautiful volley that beat Ignacy Pena after 31 minutes of the opening, but the Catalans, fortunately for them, got back into the game in the 45th minute after Fran Torres ran more than half the pitch all by himself To the gate - complete lawlessness of the modest host who, instead of closing herself off, tried to surprise.
Xavi, who was missing the suspended Ronald Araujo and Lamin Yamal, unexpectedly brought on 16-year-old Pau Cobarsi for the second half at the expense of Andreas Christensen, but the significant change came in the 61st minute, so to finish things off he brought on Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundohan and Pedri.
In the end it was Cobrasi who in the 69th minute scored for Jules Conde who scored with a tremendous kick from outside the box and Conde himself scored four minutes later for Alejandro Balde, who kicked the crossbar and in to set the final score.
More on the same topic:
Barcelona in football