CHAPTER 200: Barcelona (3) - Sporting Lisboa (1) [analysis]

Alternative title: The First Win
( 2nd Alternative Title: The Road To Rome Begins At The Camp Nou )

Positives

• A win obtained (3 points gained). Off to a good start.
• Overall a good game from Barcelona. They improved more from the previous two La Liga games.
• Personally I believe that the biggest positive from the outcome of this match is that with this victory,it would be a huge confidence booster for the team. A win was due, and this could be the impetus for more victories to be achieved (both in the La Liga as well as in the Champions League).
• First goal was from a corner (set-piece). I can't remember, but it seems that it's the first goalfrom a corner that Barça scored ever since Gabriel Milito scored from a header againts Recreativo de Huelva last season.

Negatives

• Poor goal conceded. The alarming thing to note is that thus far the team had been poor in the marking ineach of the goals conceded in this game an the previous two thus far. The other alarming issue is thatthe team's trend it seems easily concedes from set pieces (as in this game and the game againts Racing Santander).
• After Sporting Lisbon got their goal, Barça were shaky. The opposition gained confidenceand attacked more.
• Messi showed great dribbling and cutting through the Sporting Lisbon players, only for finishing and his passes to be below par. I believe that it was a frustrating game for the 'Messi'ah.