So far, the Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi attacking combination has started twice and Barcelona has lost on both occasions. Although Saturday’s defeat seems more severe since it happened at the Nou Camp.
Barca supporters were expecting to see Suarez unleashed at the Nou Camp, because his arrival symbolized the start of a new era in the club. But an almost supernatural performance by goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez, the woodwork and simply recklessness, meant that Luis Enrique was humbled by the team he managed last season.
Messi is one goal away from equalling the all-time scoring record in La Liga currently held by Telmo Zarra but it seems to be mounting pressure on him. He missed a host of chances at the Bernebau last weekend and couldn’t beat the keeper here.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique had an impressive season with Celta Vigo last season and new coach Eduardo Berizzo has picked up from where he left off adopting a similar style of pressing, aggressive football. The Barca coach anticipated the game would be tough and went with Ivan Rakitic and Rafinha aead of Sergio Busquets, with Xavi on the bench.
Jeremy Mathieu was restored to the position of centre back after an indifferent performance at left-back while Gerard Pique wasn’t included in the squad.
Rakitic was easily finding space on the left early in the game, sending crosses to Neymar, who should have done better than head straight into the arms of Sergio. A couple of minutes later, he bounced back with a shot that swirled over the goalkeeper but hit the crossbar.
Celta began to cause problems of their own, with Nolito, a former Baca player, firing over from a free kick. Pedro Hernandez headed at Caudio Bravo from a corner too, when he should have tested the keeper.
10 minutes into the second half, a long goal kick from Sergio saw Hernandez out-jump Javier Mascherano, with Nolito and Joaquin Larivvey running onto it. Dani Alves was outmuscled by Nolito and he cleverly sent to ball to Larrivey’s path. The player shook off his defender and rolled the ball past Claudio Bravo.
This was the first goal Barca had conceded at the Nou Camp since their loss to Athletico Madrid last season, a loss that handed the league title to the reigning champions.
Enrique reacted by bringing on Xavi for Busquets, Pedro for Rafinha and moved to three at the back with Mascherano in midfield. It almost paid dividends immediately, with Pedro receiving the ball on the right and looking to find a team-mate in the box. When faced with Suarez, Messi and Neymar all screaming for it, who do you pick? He opted for Suarez and the striker should have scored, heading into the grateful Sergio’s hands.
Suarez took a tumble on the edge of the box and Messi fired the free kick into the gods. Perhaps this was just going to be one of those days. It certainly looked like it when he had another from the same position and pinged it off the crossbar – the third time Barcelona had hit the woodwork.
At the other end Celta continued attacking on the counter and should have put the game beyond Barcelona’s reach. Bravo saved a Nolito volley and substitute Charles headed the rebound over the bar with the goal gaping. Charles was foiled by Bravo too, his flicked effort palmed over the bar.
Celta keeper Sergio, the clear man of the match, produced another brilliant stop to deny Suarez with five minutes left on the clock. The striker teed himself up on the edge of the box, but his sweet strike was palmed behind.
In time, Suarez, Messi and Neymar will work. It has to. But the day after Halloween it turned out all the shocks hadn’t been used up. Barcelona’s strikers will be having nightmares about Sergio for weeks.