Lamine Yamal is Unfair and Barça Survive "Hell" | 5 Headlines from 4-1 Win over Galatasaray

The Barcelona Podcast

The Barcelona Podcast breaks down Barça's 4-1 win at Galatasaray, focusing on Lamine Yamal, Cubarsi vs Osimhen, Cancelo, Fermin and the squad's depth.

The host runs through five headlines from Barcelona's 4-1 away win over Galatasaray. He argues Barça are handling European away games better, Lamine Yamal remains almost unfair, and the midfield plus bench depth let them dominate the second half. The conclusion is that Barça are perfect in the Champions League so far, but the upcoming run against Real Betis, PSG and Real Madrid will be a real test.

After a first half that saw the home side go up 1-0 and almost 2-0, Barça found their mojo in the second half and Lamine Yamal put on a show. Four goals later and the Catalans continue their historic start. 0:00 Surviving the Hell Storm 6:45 Cancelo Flips Momentum 8:14 Lamine Yamal is Unfair 11:14 Time to Take Over 12:52 Closer to a Fifth Check out our merch in our store! - https://the-barcelona-podcast.creator-spring.com/ Listen to the full podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast ... Follow Me: Instagram ➔ https://www.instagram.com/thebarcelon ... Twitter ➔ https://twitter.com/TheBarcelonaPod Facebook ➔ https://www.facebook.com/barcablog TikTok ➔ https://www.tiktok.com/@barcelonapodcast BlueWireVideo

Transcript

Barcelona went into one of the more intimidating atmospheres in all of European football. They conceded the first goal, almost conceded the second, but then proceeded to absolutely dismantle Gawataseray in their home stadium. Four goals at top the Champions League table heading into match day three. And another performance to show people that this is not the Barcelona in Europe that we are used to seeing in previous seasons. and they did it without Rafimia which was the big question mark heading into this match with him continuing to sit out after that international break knock so to replace him was I would say a bit of a surprise I guess it was almost a false nine with Fermy Lopez supporting him so it's something we have seen this season the Hundi Flick has used but if I'm not mistaken it's not something the Hundi Flick has used in a big time match yet obviously and not something that he has gone to when he needed a solution realistically if you're going to look at this as a false nine by Almo It really is more of a 4222 with whoever the front two and the two behind them being Gordon and Almo and Fermine and Lemin Maul. Really just depends on where the ball is on the field. Speaking of Luminium Maul, don't you worry, we're going to talk about him a plenty today as we welcome you to episode 861 of the Barcelona podcast brought to you by the Blue Wire Podcast Network. I'm the Hilton of course, so let's not waste any time. Let's dive in here. The five headlines from Barcelona's 4-1 victory over Galatasaray. Headline one is surviving the hell storm. They say that it is hell playing in that stadium and you felt like that with the energy. We heard there were fireworks overnight that the Barcelona players had to deal with as they were trying to sleep and the energy definitely helped Galatasaray in the early going. They were putting a lot of pressure on Barcelona forcing them even at times surprisingly. I know we say that Barcelona always a high line. No, no, no. That's a bit convoluted. Barcelona began this match giving respect to the home team by sitting in a medium block and it worked for Gawataseray a bit but Barcelona also as we've seen them many many times they bend but they do not break where Barcelona might have broken was through Kubarci and Osiman which after this match I've seen some mixed reviews on the performance whether Osman had the strength and I've seen the word ragd doll being thrown around I'm not so sure about that because again Barcelona only conceded one goal came on a set piece and we'll get to the goal. But yes, it is the one time in this match where Kubarci was truly beaten by Osiman. But other than that, in open play, I think it's the big distinction here. In open play, Kubarci took care of business. The really interesting thing was something that James and I actually spoke about in the preview on the Galataseray show that Victor Osimman, one of the big reasons why he has not moved out of Turkey and in back into a top five league is because he has not truly been, we'll say, even fully fit. But there's just something a miss about him physically where he cannot play all the time. And even when he does, there's a bit of stagnation in his movement sometime. He's a clinical finisher. We know that. He's good in the air. He's very strong. He can do all the physical things but he cannot do those things consistently over course of an entire season. And we also know that durability can sometimes be the best ability. So for Osman against Kubarci, Kubarci and Barcelona was using that stagnation that Osman does not really want to continue to make those runs into the half spaces. No, instead he would like to try to receive the ball with his back to goal or have a winger work him into the box out through the wing and then he crashes in looking for that final touch. That is the kind of number nine that Osimman is. So with Barcelona and that high line, Kubarci continued to be a good leader and step forward tons of offside for both teams in the early going here. There was also a huge tackle by Kubarc in the 19th minute when it looked like Lao and Osimman would have been through if not for this tackle. On the other side, we saw a bit of a mixed bag in the early going from Gordon and from Almo. They needed to be the reference points and it really wasn't working for Barcelona. But I will say it is a credit to Gordon for both keeping whip on the touchline and coming inside when Ferine would go to the right to play close to the medium ball. That important distinction managed to do what Gawas didn't want to happen and that is stretch out that back line. whether they were in the four or they would drop into the low block with five GH wanted to try to keep everything nice and tidy and narrow but it didn't work out that way because Gordon Alamin all continued to stretch them wide on the touch lines and then when it came to the ball being on one side we call that the strong side Gordon or Fermine would then come in and help almost was never truly a solo false nine Almo point it wasn't working and they had to work out their spacing and we also a lot less runs into the half space with Rafina missing up top Let's do talk some Barcelona chances in the 24th minute. Lamini Maul, they brought the double, the swing in for Almo. Hit his head, couldn't find the goal. And right after that, Canelo had a chance, forced a save. Barcelona may have had the better chances in the first half, but it's Galatas that gets the opener coming in the 28th minute. And it comes in transition because Gordon on one side, well, he did have an arm dragging him back, does not get the call for the PK. Instead, what do I tell you where Barcelona is most susceptible to danger? It's right through the middle. So, a quick diagonal through the middle on the counter from Gawatasaray puts Eric Garcia in a 1v one situation against Rafael. And I heard a bunch of people saying that Kundai should have started here instead of Eric for this very reason. Not sure. Kundi has also struggled in similar 1 v one situations. Just too much space for as we've talked about any I mean really any of Barcelona's backline defenders that I don't want to see on the sideline having to defend in space for a player that is so mccurial like Raphael Laya. So Lao beats Eric Garcia on the dribble with the cut back. It's found wide open because whether it was Rodri who didn't get back in time, whatever it was, the midfielders weren't in the proper shape to help protect that back line. And it's the attacking midfielder in Botrakov. He is right there to receive and he gets to pick his corner because of where he is on the field when he receives it. Wide open. Again, as I said, due to the Barcelona defending in transition, no one can pick him up in time. And this is where, as we've seen, feels like so many of Barcelona's goals come from. And six minutes later, it could have been and probably should have been 20. Comes on a Galatasai corner kick. So a set piece for Barcelona, another place where they've been hot and cold in terms of allowing goals this season. An inswinger this time from the Russian Bartraov. Osimman won the first ball and Ilmas got on the end of the deflection with Gerard Martin getting the final touch, but Osimman got away from Kubarci and Ilmas is in the mix with Gerard Martin. Either way, the V checked whether it was onside, but it was slightly called for offside as the started offside, came back on side to get that final touch. So, Barcelona instead of being down 20 are still only down 1. Headline two is Canelo flips momentum. We did feel like as is many times the case that even though Barcelona were at times, I guess on the back foot, they had to deal with the atmosphere and all those things and things were not clinical the way they should have been, it still felt like a matter of time that Barcelona would at least score one. that came in the 43rd minute and as I said it felt like it was coming not just based on the chances but this is a masterclass from Barcelona in keeping a team pinned back and then using horizontal work to push a team not only deeper but more narrow too the cross from Almo's head got punched away but then the mall received through the middle he goes down appeal looking for some either simulation or saying no no no we didn't foul him don't call anything the ref doesn't and then Almo gets a toe poke onto it find its way. Not to Gordon who let it run as he was in an offside position, but instead to Canelo who found the corner for the equalizer. Canelo probably again should not be starting this match for both his offensive and his defensive acumen even against Galataserai, I think he was the right choice here. Whether or not he is for PSG, I think that is where the debate lies. But offensively, he's been fine in the back of the net for Portugal, for Barcelona, and he gets all nylon on this one. Gordon then forces the save in extra time with a cracking shot as he still couldn't break through in that first half of action. But for Barcelona to go into the halftime break 1-1. I felt like it was what they deserved to a point though it also felt like he should have been up and yet they very well could have been down 2. Headline three is Lamini Maul is unfair. After the first half I'm on social media and everything and I see the stuff that Lamini Maul needs to give more. Where's Lamini Mall? From both Kool-Aids and Kool-Aid detractors, if you want to call it and as the Ballindor conversation and discussion is getting into overdrive in the next week or two as this award is about to be announced. Yeah, it does feel like everybody has to have opinion against Laminium Mall or for Leamini Mall, I guess. Will those who are for and pro Lemn Mall have about 10 minutes of action that they could say if you're going to give somebody the Ballindor just based on 10 minutes. How is that not the best and most exciting player in world football? Good question. In the 47th minute, there is Magic from Leini Mall that does not end in a goal here. It's a back heel for the one-two and then the one-time travella to Gordon, but he finds a way that does Gordon to miss it. It's a rough miss from Anthony Gordon. And if he didn't get a goal in this match a few minutes later, this would have been the miss I would have remembered. Before C4 Barcelon, the goal started to pour in in the 50th minute. So, 3 minutes after that, Barcelona win a corner. Rodri wins the second ball after a failed clearance. It's Gordon to Lein Maul and the delivery is on a dime to the head of Fermine who beat Davinson Sanchez to the spot and the keeper was stuck on his line. Good delivery from Lein Maul and a good finish from Fermine Lopez. That duo has been absolutely deadly. Lamin has said as much that Fermine is the player that he really does feel like understands him the best. And if you want to know why when Rafini comes back it's Fermy Lopez slightly as we'll say the 1A to the 1B to Danny Almo. It is because of Laminia Maul and that partnership with Fermy Lopez. And if you thought the last 5 minutes on Linu were good, what about the third goal in the 53rd minute? It's Barcelona continuing that pressure. And that has been what Hanzi Flick in season 3 has been all about due to the new depth in the squad is unrelenting pressure. And we see teams that feel like, hey, we had some good things to work on through that first half. Let's bring that back in the second half. They wind up not finding those answers as Barcelona figure things out quicker than the opposition does come the second half with Barcelona pinned back again. It's Pedu Lein Mal with the diagonal to give him that not that being le a one v one and Yal dancing with it on the goal line. And I think this might be the first time you've ever seen it. Check out the gif. I can't show it here but check out the gif. So good with the ball. It's raona fake. Yeah, I said a rabbona fake and then a croquetta that gets him past the defender. the defenders like what's happening here and that means that it's Gordon at the near post with the finish and Gordon does after a bunch of misses get his goal. The stat here courtesy of Oral Jo Barca has now scored three or more goals in eight consecutive matches to find a longer streak than the one they have currently. We have to go back to that 4243 season and that was nine consecutive matches scoring three or more goals. So against Real Betis, if it is three or more goals, then they would tie that record that has stood for just about 80 or so years. Headline four is time to take over. If you thought Galatasaray down 3-1 had any hope, had any prayer. Pedri and Rodri in particular say, "No, you don't. That's not going to work that way." 59th minute, it's Galatasaray making changes. So does Barcelona. Gordon and Almo off for Adi and Gabrielle Jesus. So like for like and a bit more of a reference through the middle without losing anything on the press. That is the depth that Barcelona gives you. And with the subs, as I said, Rodri and Pedri totally taking this thing out of the game here, not allowing Galatasai a way back. 65th minute. Speaking of not having a way back. Instead, it's a way forward for Barcelona. The 4-1 at the feet of Pedri with another diagonal to Linia Maul. What do I keep telling you? If teams are gonna allow that pass from Pedri to Lamin to get him into space in one v one situations and if that second defender is delayed and coming over it's just too much time and space for him where he can either pick out the cross or they can recycle to the other side to overload that left wing where Lamini Maul isn't. So from the foot of Lamini Mal the ball goes back to center fortunately with a touch from Gabriel Jus that he didn't know much about but it goes right to Admi who leaves no doubt on the finish. one-time stuff in a player that for Russia Dortmund fans having told us he wasn't going to be clinical, he's clearly playing with a lot of confidence. A player very much like Faren Torres who rises and falls with confidence. This time around, he knows exactly where he belongs in the squad. He knows who he is and he knows what he's supposed to do when he comes on against tired legs, put the ball in the back of the net and put these games away with Barcelona totally rolling. Yes, they score the goals to put away teams, but it's more the fact that they change the pace, slow things down late, and that is what teams just cannot come back from. Headline five is closer to a fifth because yes, in the final 20 or so minutes, the crowd, they wanted to get back into it, Barcelona did not allow that to happen. Even as more subs entered the game for both teams, 73rd, Kundai and Bernol on for Eric and Pedri, meal grabbing the armband, and I guess he would have deserved it after that five minute stretch. 82nd minute is firming for Gabby. That's our last sub of the day. Dwan Garcia, I didn't mention him yet, but has been the case this season, especially against teams with some pretty good number nines. He is called into action as a sweeper keeper a few times in that second half and he got it right every time. Jesus did have an opportunity to remind you that Shakir on the other side for the Turkey side that he was probably the man of the match for Gatas right despite letting in four goals. That just tells you the domination that Barcelona had in that midfield today. and a goal line header away denied Adigi the brace after Yamal crossing another dangerous one. So that puts this match to bed and that means that Barcelona heading into match day three regardless of what happens tomorrow. Yeah, of course plus minuses they can be overtaken at the top of the table but they will still be perfect in the Champions League phase so far. Of course it's Real Betis PSG and Real Madrid up next. So the challenges continue. I'm not going to say begin because I'm not going to overlook the challenge that Galatas was. You can't just say that that match was challenging and because Barcelona got a positive record and a positive result from that match that you just move on and say well that was always going to happen. No against Real Betis PSG and Real Madrid this Barcelona side is still and would have looked very very good against those three sides. So continue to move on with Baminium all continuing to pick up steam. The Ballindor stuff that's already been decided but we'll talk about that later on. Until then subscribe to the YouTube channel, follow me along on the podcast apps. Help me out of course on Patreon. I've got exclusive content over there. You can also watch these shows for free, including the one that I did last week with Diego and with Barcel aka Leavonne. If you want to see that show with the actual video, you got to see it on Patreon to relive those goals with us. It was a good time. So again, subscribe to the YouTube channel, do all that good stuff, follow me on social media, and as always, until next time, horse of our side.