1. Cancelo shows the way

Returning to good football was the main objective for Barça and Blaugrana fans to achieve victory. In the Champions League, as happens in La Liga, we struggled so much to get points that we stopped enjoying this beautiful game. Against Porto, it’s time to rebuild the good image of the Blaugrana team.

Xavi and his football fans knew it wasn’t the final, but it was the perfect match to get them out of trouble. The Conceição team came to discuss the battle for first place with Barça, trying to maintain (and exploit) any doubts the hosts might have. Pepe and Cardoso’s defense was set up almost in the middle of the field from the start, and the lines lined up to try their luck on the Blaugrana field. After Diogo Costa saved Rafinha’s left-footed shot, Pepe worried but made it 0-1.

Barça were not amenable to mental blows, and Joao Cancelo, who was on the left yesterday, arrived in the visitor’s area on a “motorcycle” and almost two minutes later scored the equalizing goal.Blaugrana self-esteem shot

2. No on the inside, yes on the outside

Barça’s game was played on the flanks and the biggest concerns for Sanusi and Joao Mario were Rafinha and Cancelo. Winger became so obsessed that Winger ate everyone who came in front of him. Speed, skill and decisiveness were the keys to maintaining an attacking threat.

We didn’t have control in the midfield and the game was too open. With a back-and-forth rhythm, each area was fighting for victory for Barça and Porto. De Jong wanted to get close to Pedri, but even Gundogan couldn’t get into a good position in the first half.

Things were different in the second act, with Xavi’s team restarting by laying siege to Costa’s goal, with João Félix almost scoring the goal of the night had the ball not bounced off the crossbar. Neither Xavi nor Conceição wanted a draw.

3. Internships, Paths and Goals

Nobody stopped Cancelo yesterday, except when Xavi was unwell and had to be substituted. Joan imagined a road and turned his own band into a highway. Lewandowski wasn’t okay, but the other Joan, Felix, was okay. But that moment happened much later, or even earlier, but whenever Porto was able to introduce Kounde and Inigo Martínez, he had a smell that he could advance again. Sometimes Araujo (right-back yesterday) came to the rescue, sometimes Iñaki Peña showed good positioning and reliability at the start of the game. Diogo Costa and Iñaki both stood out yesterday, leading the attack to a three-goal lead.

A change in Xavi, a change in Conceição and a better position in the Barça eleven. Gundogan and Frenkie close together, Pedri floating and Lewandowski waiting for the perfect cross. Although the desired package did not arrive, Cancelo’s flat presentation did reach João Félix.

Another great play from the Blaugrana side and a great play from Joao Félix on the inside of his boot (he took the shot with a wide half-turn of his ankle) made the difference. This is how you have to think to go from being a good player to a cracker.

However, the duel did not end there, with more than 30 minutes remaining. In a heated technical and physical battle, Barça held out despite having some problems with their midfield line being too close to the centre-backs.

Despite missing the best goals from Pedri and Lewandowski, Xavi’s team got the job done with a more experienced eleven. We have to teach Balde and Lamine that he can’t risk the ball when there are three minutes left. Carried to the corner or passed for positional play.

A victory for self-respect.