Barcelona Cruise Past Hapless BATE Borisov with Performance of Intent
Barcelona got the job done in the Champions League against BATE Borisov, and in some style.
Let's be clear. This is a team that were 3-0 up inside half an hour against AS Roma, and although BATE were the outsiders of the group before start of play, they could still cause a wafer-thin Blaugrana problems.
Sergi Roberto's early withdrawal is another injury headache that Luis Enrique doesn't need.
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The technical staff are really having to scrape the bottom of the barrel now to see just who is left standing, and it's the lack of strength in depth over these next few weeks that could hurt Barca the most.
It's obvious now that the likes of Munir El Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez are not Barcelona class. Come January, they are two more names that are out of the first-team picture, certainly from a starting XI perspective.
Their performances, including at BATE, have been underwhelming, and it's not as if Enrique hasn't given them licence to bring their A-game.
It appears that the responsibility of pulling on the senior shirt is one that is too big for the youngsters at this juncture.
Talking of responsibility, Ivan Rakitic takes all of the plaudits for a wonderfully direct and sharp performance against the Belarusians.
Ably assisted by Neymar for both of his goals, the Croatian showed once again what an astute purchase he was from Sevilla.
Arriving late into the danger areas for both goals, the 27-year-old's finishing was sublime. A sniper's accuracy for his first followed by the most balletic and graceful touch to kill the game.
In truth, Barca should really have been out of sight before half-time. A mixture of poor finishing and bad luck saw that BATE remained competitive going into the second period.
That Marc-Andre ter Stegen had only touched the ball twice in the opening half-hour told us much. He didn't have a save to make until 77 minutes had elapsed.
A performance of real intent from the Catalans, who can all but wrap up qualification with another three points against the same opposition at Camp Nou in a fortnight's time.
If the result in the other group game between Bayer Leverkusen and Roma happens to fall favourably for Barca on November 4, then Enrique will have the luxury of being able to rest some of his more high-profile players for at least one of the two remaining group games, if not both.
It would allow a recharging of batteries for a Club World Cup competition that, while seen in some quarters as a money-making exercise, does afford Barca the realistic chance to once again be crowned "world champions," an accolade that shouldn't really be as understated as it has become.
By that time, Lionel Messi should have been back in the groove for two to three weeks and midfielder Andres Iniesta will also have returned.
Despite not having what could be termed a vintage campaign, Barca still remain competitive on all fronts.
Unbeaten in the Champions League and level on points at the top of La Liga, Enrique has to be happy enough with his lot at the moment.
"La Liga table after game week 8! #BBVA pic.twitter.com/ehnDipm5mw
— LaLiga_Talkzone (@LaLiga_Talkzone) October 19, 2015"
Lest we forget, it was January last season before his side really kicked into gear, and that was without nowhere close to the amount of injuries the team have had to contend with this season.
Yes, the situation is becoming more perilous by the week, and another stroke of bad luck could sound the death knell. But for the moment, Barca are hanging on in there and still trying to play the Barca way.
There hasn't been the usual glut of four-, five-, six- or seven-goal routs. So what. Three points are three points, and that will be all that matters to Enrique and his staff at this juncture.
Plenty to be thankful for at this point.
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