Playing for 90
Fansided

5 things Barcelona learned from El Clasico

By Harry De Cosemo

BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 03: Neymar Jr. of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou stadium on December 3, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 03: Neymar Jr. of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou stadium on December 3, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
ALICANTE, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 30: Salinas (L) of Hecules competes for the ball with Samuel Umtiti of Barcelona during the La Copa del Rey first leg match between Hercules CF and FC Barcelona at Jose Rico Perez on November 30, 2016 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)
ALICANTE, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 30: Salinas (L) of Hecules competes for the ball with Samuel Umtiti of Barcelona during the La Copa del Rey first leg match between Hercules CF and FC Barcelona at Jose Rico Perez on November 30, 2016 in Alicante, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) /

1. Umtiti is Pique’s perfect partner

It has been a mixed start to his Barcelona career for Samuel Umtiti. While doing little wrong since arriving from Lyon this summer, has not been able to establish himself properly.

In essence, the Frenchman is the answer to so many calls from over the years. Defensively, the Catalans have struggled because their philosophy dictates their backline must be adept at passing the ball short. Usually, to be good with your feet, you must be nimble. That is not necessarily a vital trait for a centre back.

Since Carles Puyol retired, and even before then thanks to the plethora of injuries the former captain sustained towards the end of his career, Barcelona have been far to easy to breach. Gerard Pique remains world-class, albeit inconsistent, while Javier Mascherano has been converted into his partner.

More from FC Barcelona

There is no denying Mascherano’s talent, but rather as a central defensive midfielder. His physicality, or lack there of, has left a lot to be desired ever since Pep Guardiola first played him at the back.

After years of chasing a natural centre back, and one with the strength, pace and power to shore things up for Barça, clinching Umtiti seemed like the answer. The reason was evident with Ramos’ goal, because there is no way the Real captain gets to the ball so easily if Umtiti is marking him.

Given a run in the side, Umtiti will assert himself properly.

Home/FC Barcelona