Statistically speaking, FC Barcelona should have won 6-1 at Elche CF on Saturday evening. The fact that this did not happen was down to the woodwork and the concentration of the combination-happy league leaders.
FC Barcelona scored 4.22 xGoals in the first half, but only two were on the scoreboard. The fact that this careless attitude did not come back to haunt them in the end was down to their own solid defense—and the third goal midway through the second half. But first things first.
At FC Elche, newly promoted and thirteenth before kick-off, Silva, well known from the Bundesliga, started in attack. He had been on the bench for the 2-3 defeat at UD Levante.
Hansi Flick’s rotation among the visitors was moderate: De Jong and Ferran Torres were in the starting lineup compared to the 4-1 Champions League win against FC Copenhagen. Martin and Lewandowski remained on the bench for the time being.
Ferran Torres hits the woodwork twice in one scene
The long list of chances in the first half began with an attempt from 50 meters, but Raphinha was unable to outwit Inaki Pena from that distance (4′). That changed with the next attack, when Dani Olmo’s through ball to Lamine Yamal triggered the 1-0 for the visitors (6′).
The second goal for the clearly superior Catalans was in the air when Dani Olmo’s shot from the edge of the box hit the top of the crossbar (28′). Instead, the score was surprisingly tied at 1-1 when former Madrid player Alvaro finished off a textbook counterattack (29′).
A flurry of chances ensued. Ferran Torres curiously hit the woodwork twice in one move (33′), Fermin shot over from close range (42′), Raphinha missed (43′) and Victor cleared Ferran Torres’ attempt off the line (45’+3). However, amid all these moments of frustration for FCB, the score was made 2-1: after a successful dribble, De Jong decided not to shoot himself and instead selflessly passed back to Ferran Torres, who calmly slotted home (40′).
Substitute Rashford misses but celebrates shortly afterwards anyway
Nevertheless, the second-placed team should have gone into the break with a bigger lead. Rashford came on for Raphinha at the start of the second half, but the favorites didn’t show much more efficiency. The Englishman missed a solo chance to make it 3-1 (68′) but celebrated shortly afterwards when he took advantage of Lamine Yamal’s assist (72′).
In between, Elche repeatedly created dangerous chances through Alvaro (50′), El Mokhtari (63′) and Cepeda (83′). However, the newly promoted side could not keep up with the quality of their opponents’ chances and combination play. Mathematically, Barcelona should have scored at least six goals (xGoals value: 6.30), so the away win left a slightly bitter taste.
On Tuesday (9 p.m.), the Blaugrana will try to increase their efficiency in the cup quarter-final at Albacete Balompie. Elche will not be back in action until Saturday (9 p.m.) at Real Sociedad San Sebastian.