I just remember Rafinha was actually doing well and even scoring goals earlier in the season. Didn't watch the game today.
I did not watch but the player ratings, esp for Rafinha seem to support your comment. As much as we may not love Gomes and his play, Rafinha did himself no favors tonight and Arda only did a bit better (IF these ratings are an indicator): http://www.sport-english.com/en/new...r-disappointing-draw-against-hercules-5664071 Goal.com is much much more favorable to Rafinha and harsh on Arda, so I'm confused, but reading both summaries it seems bright spots were generally lacking, but include Umtiti's return, Alena's play esp. that goal, Vidal doing OK which might get him out of the Lucho doghouse, and Cardona bringing some late threats on goal as a sub, though he missed the goal on his best chance. It sounded like Digne had a stinker game as did Alcacer: http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/hércules-vs-barcelona/2364634/ratings
I did not watch but the player ratings, esp for Rafinha seem to support your comment. As much as we may not love Gomes and his play, Rafinha did himself no favors tonight and Arda only did a bit better (IF these ratings are an indicator): http://www.sport-english.com/en/new...r-disappointing-draw-against-hercules-5664071 Goal.com is much much more favorable to Rafinha and harsh on Arda, so I'm confused, but reading both summaries it seems bright spots were generally lacking, but include Umtiti's return, Alena's play esp. that goal, Vidal doing OK which might get him out of the Lucho doghouse, and Cardona bringing some late threats on goal as a sub, though he missed the goal on his best chance. It sounded like Digne had a stinker game as did Alcacer: http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/hércules-vs-barcelona/2364634/ratings
Usually playing in the Club WC is a disadvantage for teams but now Barca have to field a strong side for the second-leg against Hercules (while Madrid are playing in Japan). Otherwise they could go out in this round (don't see Barca getting another fluke goal like So not much rest advantage for Barca. Of course if they lose on Saturday it doesn't matter anyway. They'd be in 4th place and out of the title race.
I don't know about the ratings but both played badly. I still think the main problem is Lucho not the players, one should wonder how Barca B players thrashed Hercules few months ago and now struggling against the same team even though we were boosted with 6 first team players.
One must assume that Hercules would be a bit more motivated playing at home against the Barca A team than in a third-division league match against Barca B. Still a terrible result for Barca no matter what though, especially since they were lucky not to lose (the goal could never be replicated). Barca B beat them 1-3 early this season. Not exactly a thrashing though.
My bad, I knew they were in the same Tercera sub-group and tried to look up results and completely missed that one, just saw that they were playing in January and I figured that could've been the first game. Sorry to try to correct you with faulty info.