Dest did enter but very late, so late that it occurred to me that Xavi and I should have a conversation (at least about substitutions). Here's the timeline: 0-0 at HT, in a game Barcelona needs to win and Benfica needs not to lose. 59' Benfica sub 1 59' Benfica sub 2 66' Barcelona sub 1 Striker (Dembele) for Midfielder (Demir) 70' Benfica sub 3 70' Benfica sub 4 81' Benfica sub 5 86' Barcelona sub 2 - Dest finally enters, D for D (Lenglet) 86' Barcelona sub 3 - another D for D (Garcia for Araujo) Finishes 0-0 No Coutinho, no Luuk de Jong, no Riqui (as a change of pace).
On the bench: 🚨 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐂̧𝐀 𝐗𝐈! 🚨#VillarrealBarça pic.twitter.com/Exnk0dybGx— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 27, 2021
Two late goals: 88 from Memphis and IT from Coutino, I think it was. Big match v. Betis next week. A win puts Barca back in the Europe Zone (esp if Rayo don't get fully points as they've played an extra game.) Be nice if the Dutch boys finally get their heads on.
de Jong had the first goal, early 2nd half. Xavi again slow on the subs - got lucky this time. A bit disappointed that Mingueza, not Dest, came in for Jordi Alba. Also still worried that Dest is not 100% - back injuries can be tricky.
I watched the 2nd half of the Barca game hoping to see Dest come on. He did not, but Dembele came on as a RWB and Mingueza came on at LB. Neither was very good. Obviously, Dest would seem to be a candidate for either switch, but wasn't picked. I'm not sure if that's a fitness issue or if it shows the new manager's preferences.
On the + side for Barca they had a few really good chances in the 1st half. On the - side, Memphis missed a very easy goal. At least he finally stepped on the duck. On the more - side, no Dest, which is a drag if he is healthy.
If he is, it would represent another in a long list of Yanks whose minutes take a hit from a managerial change.
Although that is not a uniquely Ami thing, of course. And Dest is still incredibly young and relatively inexperienced. But it would be a bummer if he was off the field too long - he was playing with some real swagger for a bit there, despite missing some "shoulda hit that" goals.
Yup. We don’t have to worry about Dest. Barca’s last couple of results have been pretty damn lucky IMO, and there would be plenty of demand for him anyway. The talent is evident and there would be a lot of interest.
Dest pops up now and again - although it seemed at a half-arsed watch like he didn't get a ton of time. Shot like a 90's cops show... 🏋️♀️ Con la mente puesta en el #BarçaBetis ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/mjD2SvxlJa— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 3, 2021
0-0 closing in on 70'. Barca have made 3 subs so it looks like a 90 minute day for Dest. Apropos of nothing, due to my pigeon French I still read Real Betis as "real stupidity." As you were.
Exciting end-to-end action, lots of positive play from Barca but in the end no goals. It’s hard to write these words or say this out loud but…… Barca need a finisher. Feels weird saying that. However, that’s their reality. As for Dest, I thought he had a solid match on both ends of the pitch,. He was particularly involved in the attack the second half.
I didn’t want him to go there over Bayern, and I do not mind if he leaves, at all. There will be no quick fix for that team, and fantasies about the past die hard, so fans and media will be ridiculous, even by big club standards. They were very lucky to win the last two matches, especially against Villareal. It’s just north of Valencia and I made a few friends from there while working. They were besides themselves for losing to such a crap team like Barcs in the midweek. If you watched that match it is hard to argue. They were much better today, but middle table clubs can only pull off wins like that for so long.
Because of the "independentisme català" the rest of Spain was never too happy with the culés being the best team in the world. Their fall has been widely celebrated in other clubs' forums.