CHAPTER 221: Barcelona (1) - Basel (1) [analysis]

Alternative title: Draw Drawback, Qualification Confirmed

Negatives

• With this draw, Barça’s run of continuous winning streak in all competitions has ended (though Barça are still undefeated in all competitions since the Numancia defeat).
• Personally for me, this draw is extremely disappointing. As Barcelona concedes a goal in the last 10 minutes of the entire game (after getting ahead when Messi scored) and also adding the matter that it wasn’t a great game by Barcelona none wise.
• In addition, with this draw (and coupled with Sporting Lisbon’s own positive result) Barça is just 1 point ahead, thus the mathematical assurances of obtaining the top spot of the group is not confirmed as yet.
• Goal conceded on the 83rd minute is just as disappointing as the one conceded against Racing Santander earlier on in the season. In fact, this game’s outcome was the most recent disappointing result ever since that draw at Camp Nou back in August.
• Just a poor first half from Barça.
• This was a game where it was not enough of a lot of things from Barcelona.
• Not enough good scoring chances, not enough attack and pressure on the opposition throughout the game, not enough hunger, not enough will and not enough drive to win.
• It was only after Messi came on that the dynamic of Barça’s attacking were more intense.
• I believe that with the outcome of this game, Guardiola put in a weak team and selected a weak lineup to win the match.
• Not a great game from Thierry Henry.
• I think that as both Messi and Eto’o didn’t start the game, much of the responsibility in commanding the attack and goal was Henry. It as just a lesser stellar performance from him (but then again, Henry has been far and not up to par as from his persona and power that he displayed at Arsenal).
• Another point to add is that Henry missed a great chance on the 4th minute of the game. Had he scored from this opportunity, perhaps the outcome and dynamics of this game would have been different…
• Pique had missed out on a great opportunity from the corner Barça had at about the 80th minute. His header just missed the goal, and had the ball gone in the Basel goal it most probably would have sealed the game (making Barcelona having a two goal advantage after Messi scored). Unfortunately though, luck wasn’t on Barça’s side (I had the feeling that that missed chance would be fatal, soon enough, Basel scored).
• The Barcelona defenders, I believe, ought to have done better in preventing Basel’s goal. From preventing the cross, and how the hell did their goal scorer managed to shot the ball between Marquez and Puyol.

Positives

• The biggest positive point is that Barcelona has assured qualification to the knockout stages. And the other point to be added as well is that Sporting Lisbon have assured their qualification as well, so that leaves a narrow objective for Barcelona to achieve if they were to fight for the top spot of the group (in having to impede Sporting’s chances when both teams met in Lisbon).
• Messi scores a goal, and adds up to his goal tally.