Real Madrid are probably going to regret underestimating a second division side. They learned the wrong way about that when they lost to Albacete (2:3). It would have been nice if Barça hadn’t repeated what their opponents did to make it past Racing Santander – the team everyone thinks will move up to Primera and who eliminated Villarreal in the last round. Even though Barça is far superior than Racing, the team’s history isn’t particularly relevant. Although Joan Garcia was probably the player of the game, and that was while making only one major stop.
Racing did not play many of its regular starters either. Raphinha suffered an injury so was out. So was Cancelo, Fermín, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Lewandowski and Araújo (he looks like he can’t shake off his last bad performance yet). Also, De Jong was banned for this match.
The starting eleven for Barça were: Joan Garcia in goal; Balde, Martin, Cubarsi and Kounde at defense; Bernal and Casado in midfield, and then Rashford, Olmo, Yamal and Ferran as forwards.
Also, Racing rested a few of their regular players – they have a huge league battle next week against Las Palmas for top position in Segunda.
First Half – Pure Tedium
The home team started aggressively, taking three corners in a row and putting some pressure on Barça. That was it though. Barça dominated the ball (they had around 80-85 percent possession) and put everyone to sleep.
Dangerous Chances? None Really
Escueta had barely touched the ball before the 44th minute when Castro deflected a Rashford shot and nearly scored an own goal. xG at halftime was incredibly close: 0.24 for Racing and 0.26 for Barça. One word to describe the first half – torture. The wingers were pretty toothless, especially the left (Balde + Rashford). Bernal-Casado created nothing, Ferran was completely cut off – 8 touches for the entire half. Classic Barça football?
Lamine Yamal – barcablaugranes.com
Second Half: Yamal Wakes Everyone Up
It wasn’t until the second half that things livened up and it was mainly due to Lamine Yamal. He had a beautiful curling attempt that was just inches wide with the outside of his left foot. Then he delivered a perfect diagonal pass for Rashford (Escueta saved) and then another shot that the goalkeeper eventually held – lucky no one was in the way for the rebound. He almost chipped in a leaf from a distance too…crossbar saved him again.
Fermín replaced Bernal in the 66th minute and you could tell right away why. 66th minute: a great pass from deep by Fermin, Ferran takes it in stride, beats Escueta and scores an empty net goal – 1:0.
Then Pedri, Raphinha and Lewandowski came onto the field.
Late Drama and Garcia Heroics
Barcelona celebrates a goal – fcbarcelona.com
Racing pushed hard and Lozano actually scored twice…both times he was called offside. Just before the first call was reversed, Cámara went in very hard on Yamal in the box and that looked like a clear penalty.
Barça could have easily finished off the game long ago, but Escueta was incredible: he denied Fermín and then Lewandowski from point blank range.
And then at 90+4 the heart-stopping moment: Lozano gets behind after a Cubarsí mistake, clean through on goal…and slams it straight at Garcia! Joan holds firm and proves that he is worthy of his spot on the team – even in the cup. Sorry to Szczęsny and Ter Stegen.
Yamal made sure he wouldn’t leave the stadium without getting something: Raphinha sends in a low cross, open goal, 2:0. Barça are in the quarterfinals. Only La Liga teams are left there…except Real Madrid.
Hansi Flick has now won 11 matches in a row with Barça – he has tied Luis Enrique’s record. The last time anyone achieved a streak like this…it ended with a treble.
