Barcelona achieved positive results when they visited Elche in the 2020-2021 Spanish League season, Sunday (24/1/2021). Even without Lionel Messi’s presence, Ronald Koeman’s troops managed to steal three points from the Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium after winning convincingly two goals without reply.
Two goals from Barcelona each were scored by Frenkie de Jong (39 ‘) and Riqui Puig (89’). Three points from Elche’s headquarters made Barcelona continue to stick to Real Madrid in second place in the 2020-2021 Spanish League standings.
Barcelona started the match very well from the start of the first half. Even without the presence of Lionel Messi, who was serving a red card, the visitors’ attack proved to be dangerous.
The collaboration of Antoine Griezmann, Pedri, Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite several times provided threats against Elche’s goal, escorted by Edgar Badia.
Sure enough, Barcelona managed to take the lead first through Frenkie de Jong’s goal in the 39th minute. The Dutch midfielder listed his name on the scoreboard after utilizing a mature pass sent by Braithwaite.
Elche, who was one goal behind, tried to get up to equalize. However, the score 1-0 for Barcelona’s superiority lasted until halftime.
Entering the second half, Barcelona, who were already superior, were increasingly trengginas and had the ambition to score additional goals against Elche. Ousmane Dembele had several golden opportunities that almost resulted in goals.
Even though they continued to get attacked, the players at the back of the home team were in fact still tough to keep their goals from being conceded. However, the Blaugrana’s attackers were also incomprehensible.
In the 89th minute, Riqui Puig managed to complete Barcelona’s lead after utilizing a targeted pass from Frenkie de Jong. This goal at once closed the match with a final score of 2-0 for Barcelona.
Elche (4-4-2): Edgar Badia; Antonio Barragan, Gonzalo Verdu, Diego Gonzalez, Johan Mojica; Josan, Ivan Marcone, Raul Guit, Victor Rodriguez; Emiliano Rigoni, Lucas Boye.
Reserves: Diego Rodriguez, Nina, Pere Milla, Tete Morente, Luismi, Jeison Lucumi, Cifu, Josema, John Donald, Gerard Barri, Jose Salinas.
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Oscar Mingueza, Ronald Araujo, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong; Antoine Griezmann, Pedri, Ousmane Dembele; Martin Braithwaite.
Reserves: Sergino Dest, Miralem Pjanic, Riqui Puig, Neto, Clement Lenglet, Trincao, Matheus Fernandes, Junior Firpo, Konrad De la Fuente, Aranu Tenas.
