TOUR EVENT
The powerlessness of Barcelona. The game style of Barca is as recognizable as the blue-garnet colors of the uniform. Ball control, width of attacks, quick combinations - even in a bad match for Barca, we certainly see any of this. A rare event like a solar eclipse occurred in Zaragoza: Barcelona could not show anything from its usual arsenal. Nothing. The reason is “Zaragoza”. Victor Fernandez’s team didn’t just figure out how to disarm Barca (to think up is a simple matter), but also realized its plan from inside to outside. Probably, the inhabitants of the besieged medieval cities felt the same way: it seems that the walls are high and strong, and around the enemy and provisions are running out. Zaragoza took the opponent in a tight ring and patiently waited for the gate to open in the second half. "Invaders" staged a victorious march on city streets and stepped into the Champions Four. If someone wanted to understand what “Barcelona football” is by the example of this match, then the conclusions would be as follows: full of defense, rude midfielders, lack of pressure, inability to conduct an attacking game. Perhaps, even Nastik does not deserve all these reproaches at once. This was clearly not Barcelona day.
HERO TOUR
Victor Fernandez hails from Zaragoza. Here he began his coaching career. At the helm of the team he stood at the age of 30, and at 35 he celebrated his victory in the Cup of Cups. It seemed that Fernandez had great prospects, but the triumph in the cup tournament did not cancel an important drawback: the coach could not even lead the team along the long distance of the championship. This problem was on the heels of Fernandez. First in Zaragoza, later in Celta, then in Betis. On the one hand, he put on a great team game, on the other - this game turned out to be too fragile. And then Fernandez returned to where he started and where he achieved the greatest success. Today he has a balanced composition and rich experience of mistakes. Against Barcelona, Zaragoza Fernandez issued a textbook coaching game, with an understanding of the opponent’s weaknesses and the ability to use them. After the final whistle, Victor Fernandez shone like on the very day when he defeated Arsenal in 95th. The victory over Barca in all conceivable articles is an occasion to recharge with confidence for the remaining nine rounds and finally say goodbye to the reputation of a coach, whose destiny is from 5th to 9th.
TOUR FAILURE
In the event of a home victory over Racing, Sevilla would become the leader. But, as practice shows, the misfires of Barca become for the southerners not a stimulus, but rather a mystical obstacle.
13th round:
“Levante -“ Barcelona ”-1: 1.
Espanyol - Sevilla - 2: 1.
18th round:
“Espanyol” - “Barcelona” - 3: 1.
“Seville” - “Mallorca” - 1: 2.
21st round:
“Osasuna” - “Barcelona” - 0: 0.
“Seville” - “Real Sociedad” - 0: 0.
26th round:
“Barcelona” - “Real” M - 3: 3.
“Nastik” - “Sevilla” - 1: 0.
31st round:
“Zaragoza” - “Barcelona” - 1: 0.
“Seville” - “Racing” - 0: 0.
However, the draw of the team of Juande Ramos has a downside. Sevilts continue to fight for three trophies, and the pursuit of so many rabbits cannot and should not be smooth. Juande Ramos did not release his main forwards against Racing, continuing the intricate rotation of the squad. And rotation is like a complex puzzle. It is important that, as a result, a life-affirming picture appears to the eye. Ramos learns to look at a single match for strategic reasons. Sevilla is ahead of the second leg against Tottenham, the Spanish Cup and the most difficult schedule in the championship. Victory at any cost in every match is a destiny, for example, leading the fight in only one tournament of Real Madrid, but not Sevilla. She looks at things wider. Therefore, a draw with Racing is absolutely a working result. They didn’t overtake Barca - it's okay. If the strategic calculations of Ramos are correct, then at the end of the season Sevilla will take some trophy, and the football world will receive a new top coach.
TOUR SENSATION
If you look, then this tour did without explosive sensations. Perhaps surprising can be considered friendly leadership misfires . The defeats of Barça and Valencia plus a draw by Sevilla confirm that the champion in Spain is likely to be "random." For example, Real Madrid on this remainder of the class defeated the stubborn Osasuna. Now, lovers of counting should spread the notebook sheet into as many as five columns, write out the remaining matches of each applicant and puzzle over who and where else will stumble. Absolutely idle occupation.
TREND
Accents of Valencia. The Bats went to their match 10 minutes after the defeat of Barcelona. A great incentive to reduce the gap and get involved in a gold dispute. True, the coach of “Valencia” found other reasons. Kike Flores put up reservists against Athletics, saving the main forces for the return battle with Chelsea. To understand the logic of the coach, you should know the situation at Valencia. The club almost made the decision to change the mentor and the only thing that could save Flores is the title. Proud, ambitious, "second Mourinho" - often used in relation to Flores characteristics. Until recently, he played for Zaragoza together with Vladislav Radimov, then he appeared in Getafe, now the Champions League. His coaching career is a rapid upward movement. And now comes the moment of the most difficult test. Flores goes all-in. He actually sacrifices the fight for the championship, betting on the eurotrophy. Reservists of “Valencia”, of course, lost to “Athletics”, but the team leaders rested. Flores's plan is risky, because relaxation in Bilbao does not give any guarantees. On Tuesday, “Valencia” is the most important match of the season. If she does not pass Chelsea, then she remains without titles. And Kike Flores - without work.
CM. ALSO
An amazing goal from Gabilondo’s heel to the goal of Valencia.
TOUR DIGIT
The amazing Racing team does not lose 7 games in a row. She is gaining muscle right in front of her eyes. The season began with three defeats and a painful search for the game, and now the leaders of the club, led by Zhigich, have opened a real hunt. As a “third force," Racing is actively interfering in the championship showdown: recently it stunned Valencia away, just took away points from Sevilla, and in the next round it is waiting for Real Madrid in Santander. The public will demand the continuation of the banquet!
Timur CRANES