For 74 minutes of Saturday it appeared that Barcelona would suffer a second straight 1-0 loss after failing to convert chances and hitting the woodwork multiple times. Unlike last weekend though, the Bluagrana were able to finally get on target as Neymar and Jordi Alba scored late goals, both off assists from Luis Suárez, to steal a 2-1 win over Almería.
3 things we learned from Barcelona’s unimpressive 2-1 win over Almeria
Two goals in the final 15 minutes allowed Barca to avoid losing three straight league matches for the first time since 2003.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Barcelona had plenty of chances in the first half to take the lead but just like last week against Celta Vigo, they couldn't solve the opposing goalkeeper or the woodwork.
Lionel Messi had the two best opportunities for Barca, first in the 9th minute when he brought down Munir's poorly delivered cross while somehow eluding a defender that was right on his hip. Messi cut right and placed a shot on frame but Rubén made a superb diving save.
In the 28th minute Ivan Rakitić had a point blank chance at the far post denied by Rubén with his second big save of the match. The rebound was reflexively centered by Pedro where Messi was lurking for another chance to match the all-time La Liga goal record. With the ball high Messi headed it towards the open goal but his target was off and it hit off the crossbar.
Then in the 37th minute Messi gave up possession in the midfield, allowing Almería to counter-attack quickly. Soriano found Thievy with a superb pass and the striker did the rest racing past Marc Bartra and Javier Mascherano to challenge Claudio Bravo one-on-one. Bravo never stood a chance as Thievy beat him with a shot low and to the right, giving the home side 1-0 lead they would take to the halftime break.
Barca began pouring on the pressure in the second half with the addition of Luis Suárez and Neymar. Suárez came the closest to finding the equalizer in the 61st minute when his acrobatic effort at the far post hammered off the crossbar.
Finally Barca broke through in the 73rd minute evening the match at 1-1. Suárez did the leg work, getting free on the right side of the box and delivering a perfect pass to Neymar was was matching his fun centrally. Neymar’s finish wasn’t pretty, it required a little luck, but it ended up in the back of the net, which is all that mattered for the Blaugrana.
Messi hit the crossbar yet again in the 80th minute, directed a header off another stunning pass from Suárez past Rubén both off the front of the woodwork.
In the 82nd minute Suárez was creating more chances, lifting a ridiculous pass over the Almería defense to Jordi Alba who’d snuck in with a run at the far post. Alba did enough to direct the ball past Rubén and put Barca ahead 2-1.
Almería: Rubén, Dubarbier, Vélez, Trujillo, Navarro, Verza, Azeez, Zongo, Soriano (Hemed 68’), Thomas (Wellington 85’), Thievy (Edgar 78’)
Goals: Thievy (37’)
Barcelona: Bravo, Alba, Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano, Rafinha, Busquets (Xavi 66’), Rakitić, Munir (Neymar 46’), Messi, Pedro (Suárez 46’)
Goals: Neymar (73’), Alba (82’)
3 Things
1. Barcelona need a central defender with pace - Javier Mascherano was pretty good, Marc Bartra was pretty good, but Almería’s goal came down to one thing on Saturday: speed. When Thievy went motoring forward he ran past the defensive pair like they were barely there, moving in along against Bravo for the goal. Thievy is fast, and it would be a big ask for any defender to run him down, but there are defenders who could either match him or play a better angle. Whatever the case, Barca need better options at the back who can deal with the speed of opponents.
2. Xavi still makes Barca better - Trailing 1-0 at halftime Luis Enrique put Neymar and Luis Suárez into the match, but it didn't really seem to help. Then in the 66th minute on came Xavi for Sergio Busquets and the attack started to click. The midfield worked better, Suárez started getting the ball in dangerous spot so he could be an assist machine, and Barca won. Xavi isn't as good as he used to be, but he's still capable of being very effective. Side note: The departure of Fernando Soriano from the Almería midfield helped as well.
3. Luis Suárez is the key to Barca’s attacking success - While he needs help from the midfield to get him the ball (see No. 2), there’s no question that Suárez is the man in the Barca attack. His work rate is ridiculous, his passing is sublime, he just makes everyone better. Plus, what are opposing defenders supposed to do as they try to mark him, Messi and Neymar? Even if they think they’ve managed to cover everyone, Jordi Alba sneaks in and scores the match winner on a brilliant assist from Suárez.
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