In a match that provided far more excitement than expected, Barcelona narrowly secured a 4-3 victory against third-tier side CF Intercity to advance to the Copa del Rey Round of 16. Despite the clear disparity in quality between the two teams, the Catalan giants were pushed to their limits, needing extra time to seal the win.
Barca News Network brings you four points to talk about regarding the surprisingly narrow 4-3 triumph over CF Intercity.
1. A Stubborn Opponent
While CF Intercity may ply their trade in Spain’s lower divisions, they proved to be much tougher opponents than Barcelona might have anticipated. The Alicante-based side forced the Blaugranes into extra time, with Ansu Fati’s decisive goal in the 103rd minute ultimately securing the victory.
As expected, Barcelona dominated possession, but Intercity’s compact and disciplined defensive structure made it difficult for the Catalans to find space, particularly in central areas. Gustavo Siviero’s men operated in a deep block, often compressing the field into just 30 meters, which stifled Barca’s attempts to progress the ball and create clear chances in the first half.
To counter this, Barcelona’s center-backs frequently pushed higher up the pitch, seeking to outnumber Intercity in their half. However, this tactic left significant space behind the defense. This highlighted a recurring issue for Xavi’s side.
2. Barcelona’s Achilles’ Heel: Counterattacks
Barcelona’s vulnerability to counterattacks remains a significant concern. Their aggressive, possession-heavy style often leaves large gaps behind the high defensive line, making them susceptible to quick transitions. While Xavi’s tactics aim to minimize these risks, they remain a dangerous gamble.
Against Intercity, this weakness was mitigated by the exceptional performances of Ronald Araújo and Jules Koundé. Araújo’s crucial goal-line clearance and Koundé’s confident display in his natural center-back position provided stability in defense. Their pace and athleticism allowed them to recover quickly and shut down counterattacks effectively.
However, when Araújo and Koundé were substituted for the slower Eric García and Marcos Alonso, the defensive frailties resurfaced. This was painfully evident in Intercity’s third goal, where Alonso’s mistake left Busquets as the last man, unable to prevent Oriol Soldevila from completing his hat trick. This incident underscored the ongoing need for a reliable defensive setup.
3. A Potential New Attacking Approach
Despite the challenges, Barcelona’s dominance in possession translated into a clear superiority in chances created. However, inefficiency in front of goal prolonged the match unnecessarily, adding 30 minutes of fatigue ahead of a crucial clash with Atlético Madrid.
One noticeable trend in Barcelona’s attacking play was the central positioning of their wingers. With Jordi Alba and Héctor Bellerín providing width from the fullback positions, the wingers—particularly Ousmane Dembélé, Ansu Fati, and Raphinha—drifted inside, combining more frequently and taking direct shots at goal.
This fluid, dynamic trio caused significant problems for Intercity’s defense. Dembélé, the standout performer, dazzled with his dribbling and sharp movements, often finding himself in central areas or even in the striker’s role. His versatility and effectiveness in this position could offer Xavi a solution in Robert Lewandowski’s absence against Atlético Madrid.
4. Ansu Fati: The Savior
Ansu Fati delivered the moment of relief Barcelona desperately needed. His extra-time winner, assisted by a precise Raphinha cutback, brought joy to Culés and could serve as a turning point for the young Spaniard.
Fati, once hailed as Barcelona’s next big star, has struggled to regain his pre-injury form and confidence. Criticism has mounted, and questions have arisen about whether he can rediscover the magic that made him one of football’s brightest talents. Scoring such a decisive goal may help restore his self-belief and silence some of the doubts.
With Lewandowski unavailable for the weekend, Fati is expected to play a key role against Atlético. This goal could not have come at a better time for the youngster, as Barcelona will rely on him to step up in their talisman’s absence.
Final Thoughts
Barcelona’s performance against Intercity highlighted both strengths and weaknesses. While the team showed resilience and individual brilliance to secure the win, defensive lapses and inefficiency in front of goal raised concerns. As Xavi’s side prepares for tougher challenges ahead, they must learn from this game and continue to improve.
Força Barça!
