Tops
Clear, sharp and smudge-free. XXL match from Real number 7, author of a hat-trick in the first period (7th, 10th, 39th). In addition to his goals, the Brazilian put his evening opponent, Ronald Araujo, through an ordeal. Sharp in calls, clean technically, surgical in finishing, Vinicius was perfect this Sunday.
Leader of the championship, with 21 matches without defeat in all competitions, this Real seems untouchable. The little icing on the cake this evening will be for the coach, Carlo Ancelotti. A true leader of men, the Italian technician will certainly be satisfied to equal a certain Zinédine Zidane in terms of titles won on the Real Madrid bench (11). Only Miguel Muñoz has won more trophies in the club’s history. 14 in total. Next goal for Carlo Ancelotti?
Flops
The Uruguayan is certainly not going to sleep very well this Sunday evening, he who risks having Vinicius nightmares. However, Ronald Araujo performed some good defensive actions this evening (25th). But in fact, we will mainly remember that he caught fire against the Brazilian attacker. Araujo is even directly at fault for Real’s third goal. It is he who unbalances Vinicius – him again – in the area (39th, 3-1). And to end this nightmarish evening, Araujo received a red card after a foul on the ankle of… Vinicius.
Difficult to find yet another excuse for Xavi. “FC Barcelona is in reconstruction,” the Catalan coach likes to repeat. Still a fairly long reconstruction. Above all, the old midfielder no longer seems to be the man for the job. The FC Barcelona players again seemed devoid of any motivation this evening, incapable of reacting to the difficulty. A situation that Xavi will have difficulty managing, he who is already not exempt from all reproaches in the Cup and in the championship.