{"id":1187125,"date":"2021-01-24T18:00:25","date_gmt":"2021-01-24T18:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1187125"},"modified":"2021-01-24T18:00:25","modified_gmt":"2021-01-24T18:00:25","slug":"elche-0-2-barcelona-match-analysis-frenkie-de-jong-riqui-puig-busquets-pedri","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/elche-0-2-barcelona-match-analysis-frenkie-de-jong-riqui-puig-busquets-pedri\/","title":{"rendered":"“Riqui Puig will not go away!” – Midfield runs the show as Barcelona ease their way to win over Elche"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a tense afternoon of football, Barcelona beat Elche 0-2 to keep pace with Real Madrid in second-place.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blaugrana played their second game without the suspended Leo Messi and picked up a comfortable win.<\/p>\n

\"Black<\/a>

Black Lives Matter:<\/span> Read more about the cause footballers are taking the knee for<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

There was never really a doubt that Barcelona would win this game as they felt dominant for the vast majority of the contest. Elche fought back well in the first half of the second half, but bar one moment that was entirely self-inflicted, they didn’t create a great chance.<\/p>\n

Barcelona are changing into a different side now to the one that they were earlier in the season where they would leak chances for fun and Marc-Andr\u00e9 Ter Stegen would need to perform miracles to keep them in games.<\/p>\n

The 4-3-3 shape combined with the emergence of Ronald Araujo in defence and a greater show of restraint by Jordi Alba with his forward runs has made Barcelona more solid at defending counter-attacks where before they were shambolic.<\/p>\n

Alba’s staying a bit deeper has allowed him to help sweep up with his pace. And with three midfielders on the pitch Barcelona rotate the ball in a more balanced and healthy way, rejuvenating Sergio Busquets at the base.<\/p>\n

Busquets had looked an absolute liability as recently as late 2020, but this formation change alone has allowed Barcelona to maximise his strengths (his excellent pressing and passing) while covering somewhat for his weaknesses.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

CLICK HERE<\/strong><\/a> to claim 888Sport’s new customer offer \u2022 18+ only \u2022 Max Bet \u00a35 \u2022 \u00a310 deposit using promo code 888ODDS \u2022 Free bets are granted within 72 hours and expires after 7 days \u2022 Free bet stakes not included in returns \u2022 Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. withdrawal restrictions & full T&C\u2019s apply<\/a> \u2022 GambleAware<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Barcelona’s midfield dominated Elche’s, with De Jong providing vertical thrust exemplified when he poached the opening goal and created the second. He now has four goals in his last 10 games for Barcelona and is providing real presence in attack, and the freedom to run that he now has means that he can do things like his assist for Riqui Puig where he drove through the Elche midfield and defence before lifting a gorgeous cross into the box.<\/p>\n

Pedri meanwhile was the star of the show. The teenager has been so good he’s even managed to bring a smile to Leo Messi’s face and today, in the Argentine’s absence, he controlled the game and his movements into space and passes forward were a constant source of creativity. Moreover, he is an absolute joy to watch.<\/p>\n

Of course Pedri was replaced by Riqui Puig, who scored the second goal of the game and his first ever for the club. While scoring is hardly what the Catalan midfielder is best at, if he keeps on having these impactful appearances off the bench it’s going to make it easier for Ronald Koeman to include him. Riqui Puig will not go away!<\/p>\n

\n

Elche 0-2 Barcelona FT: <\/p>\n

Shots: 4-15
Shots on target: 2-8
Passing accuracy: 84%-91%
Possession: 35%-65% https:\/\/t.co\/q3m5JoHSZz<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) January 24, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n