The night that Paco Alcacer saved FC Barcelona

Barcelona won their first final in April. Eight to go. Six in La Liga and two in the Champions League. In La Liga they have to win them all to keep dreaming of the title, including the Clasico at the Bernabeu on April 23. In the Champions League a little more flexibility. But only a little. The quarter-final battle with Juventus will be a tough battle. 

Beating Granada was obligatory so as not to say goodbye, definitively, to La Liga. That’s the problem Barcelona have. No more slip ups. Added pressure to a team that has been inconsistent throughout the season. And suffers the inventions that Luis Enrique insists upon.

Messi’s ban was already reason enough not to make too many rotations. But the coach decided to leave Pique in Barcelona and Umtiti and Iniesta on the bench. And if that were not enough, to play Andre Gomes as a right winger. Although that only lasted 17 minutes, when Rafinha had to go off injured. The solution was not much better - putting Alcacer there. 

NEYMAR SUPERSTAR

The luck that Barcelona have is that they have the most on form player in the world, in Neymar. It was Neymar, once more, who kicked the team into gear with magisterial moves. And from his boots, Barcelona’s best chances were born at Nuevo Los Carmenes. Thanks to the Brazilian and the efficiency of Luis Suarez, Barcelona took three decisive points.

Although the saviour, it must be said, was Paco Alcacer, who scored the decisive goal for 2-1 after fine play by Suarez. At least he’s paid back part of the 30 million euros spent on his signature. A goal worth three golden points to keep close to Real Madrid, who didn’t slip up either. Although, like almost always, they needed refereeing help.