FC Barcelona faced Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League’s Group G on Tuesday. Here’s the result, what happened, and what we learned from the tie.
Dynamo Kiev 0 – 4 FC Barcelona (Dest 52’, Braithwaite 57’ & 70’, Griezmann 90+2)
Big changes from Ronald Koeman
Due to a flood of injuries and the decision to rest both Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong, it was a peculiar looking XI from the Dutchman which read as follows:
Ter Stegen; Junior Firpo, Lenglet, Mingueza, Dest; Alena, Pjanic; Pedri, Coutinho, Trincao; Braithwaite.
That being said, this was their youngest starting line up – at an average age of 24 years and 206 days – since a showdown with BATE Borisov in 2011.
Something might be up with Riqui Puig
Beyond soccer that is. The more his coach continues to shun him, the more fans and pundits believe there could be something going on away from the pitch with the La Masia youngster. Amid talk of a loan to Leeds United in the Premier League
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, Puig might be better off seeking pastures new.
Philippe Coutinho was charged with becoming team leader
Stepping into Messi’s shoes, though Marc Andre ter Stegen was given the captain’s armband, the Brazilian took the bull by the horns from central attacking midfield and spearheaded the Catalans’ forward moves.
A full half hour without any notable chances
Still despite Coutinho’s efforts, Barca labored to get shots on target. Gradually, however, Pedri and Miralem Pjanic became more involved in the game and at least spread the ball around nicely.
Trincao took a punt from the edge of the box
At least someone had a go, with the Portuguese’s curling shot nestling into the grasp of Heorhiy Bushchan quite comfortably.
A dreadful first half was brought to its conclusion
That many were glad to see the back of. Little created in a match with little to play for, Koeman did not appear thrilled on the touchline.
Sergino Dest made history
Receiving a lovely short knock on into his path from Braithwaite, the American broke the deadlock on 52 minutes with a low-driven shot inside the far post.
In turn, he became the first USMNT star to score for the Blaugrana.
Barca doubled their lead shortly after
An Alena corner swinging in, Mingueza picked up an assist by tapping on to Braithwaite five minutes later. The Dane bagged a fox in the box smash into the roof of the net, and like Dest netted his first strike in UEFA’s flagship tournament for the visitors.
A treble substitution followed
Puig finally getting minutes, he entered the pretty-much-decided clash alongside Antoine Griezmann and Jordi Alba.
The trio replaced Pjanic, Coutinho and Clement Lenglet respectively, and were granted 25 minutes’ worth of play plus stoppage time. Additionally, the shift also meant that Junior moved to central defence.
Braithwaite made it 3-0 from the spot
Winning his own penalty by being pushed in the box, the number 9 sealed a brace with a fantastically hit and placed kick on 70 minutes.
Matheus Fernandes was allowed to make his debut
There has been controversy in Catalonia over the lack of playing time the Brazilian has enjoyed considering the money that was paid earlier this year to Palmeiras for his capture. Still the midfielder is not some Keyser Soze-like mythical beast, it has been proven.
Puig missed a sitter
Dest’s excellent work deserved better, and after wheeling and dealing on the right wing and cutting through into the box, he put it on a plate to Puig who should have squirted the icing on the cake.
Konrad de la Fuente was Koeman’s fifth and final change
Kudos to the Dream Team legend for taken advantage of the opportunity, as his charge became the seventh American to play in the UCL’s group stages this season.
A made in La Masia goal and much-needed confidence booster for Griezmann
Puig, Alena and Alba dinking it around with ease, the Frenchman drilled home from close range and put to bed a productive second 45 in stoppage time.
Barca are up to their usual tricks
Papering over the cracks of poor domestic form, they responded to a bad result in Spain in Europe for the fourth time running while amassing 12 points from 12 at the top of the group.
Mingueza gave Koeman food for thought, and perhaps convinced him not to experiment with De Jong at center back in light of Pique’s potentially season-ending injury.
Similar can be said for Alena and Martin Braithwaite too, with the latter of course delivering a double and putting himself forward for lone striker candidacy. As for academy product Alena, he enjoyed 98% passing accuracy and only erred with two passes in a full 90-minute outing.
Attention turns back to La Liga now, where on Sunday Barca receive Osasuna at the Camp Nou.