FC Barcelona earned a narrow 2-0 victory against third-division CD Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey Round of 32.
A heavily rotated Barcelona side dominated possession and created numerous chances, but struggled to break down the hosts’ resolute defense until Andreas Christensen headed home the winner from a Frenkie de Jong corner in the 76th minute.
Guadalajara threatened sporadically on counters but couldn’t find an equalizer, allowing the reigning champions to advance to the next round despite a scrappy performance.
Here are the 5 things we learned:
1. Lack of Ruthlessness
Barcelona missed several clear opportunities, including headers from Eric García and shots from Fermín López that went high or wide.
This lack of clinical finishing allowed Guadalajara to stay in the game, as Dani Vicente made crucial saves on efforts from Rashford and Christensen.
2. Finishing Inefficiency
Multiple misses from Fermín López, Lamine Yamal, and Roony Bardghji exposed poor conversion rates on chances created.
Eric García’s headers going wide or being saved pointed to rust in front of the goal during a rotated lineup.
This inefficiency forced reliance on set pieces over open play
3. Defensive Lapses
Early fouls by Rashford, Christensen, and Bernal, plus a yellow for Bernal, disrupted rhythm and invited pressure, including a saved shot from Manu Ramírez.
While ter Stegen was solid, unnecessary concessions gave Guadalajara momentum. Discipline in midfield is key against physical teams.
4. Rotation Risks
Players like Roony Bardghji and Marc Casadó showed promise but couldn’t break the deadlock, underscoring integration challenges with rested stars.
Flick’s changes maintained structure but lacked spark up top. Fine-tuning squad depth will aid the packed schedule.
5. Lower-Tier Resilience
Guadalajara’s organization frustrated Barcelona’s control, with players like Cañizo and Samu Mayo winning key duels. Fast breaks and offside traps limited Barcelona’s xG despite dominance.
The Round of 16 further demands elevated intensity to avoid an upset.
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