Ferran’s unchecking, like Henry’s at 2-6

In the preview of the Clásico on Sunday, Xavi Hernandez He recognized that in case of victory there could be a “parallelism” with the visit to the Santiago Bernabéu in LaLiga 2003-04, when the 1-2 that he himself closed with a goal “changed the dynamics of previous years”. Although that team Frank Rijkard He finished second in that League behind Valencia, laying the foundations for the team that won two Leagues and one Champions League in the following two years. However, once the Clásico ended with a resounding 0-4, the similarities must be sought more with the 2-6 of LaLiga 2008-09 with Pep Guardiola in front for the exhibition and the superiority of Barça that forgave clear occasions with which they could even overcome that half dozen. And in that sense, different situations in the game reminded us of that game, especially the performance of Fernando Torres plan Thierry Henry.

Selective memory has not been generous with the importance that the Frenchman had in that game that marked the way to the treble. There will always be talk of the two goals from Messi masterfully facing Iker Casillasof the four assists of Xavifrom the headed goal by Puyol and your kiss to the bracelet, holding Pique after scoring the final 2-6… But Henryplaying on the left of the attack, was key with two intelligent unchecks behind the back of Sergio Ramosright-back at the time, which earned him a 1-1 draw, tying a game that started badly, and a 2-4, just after his own 2-3 bouquets that seemed to give life to Madrid.

Ferran was also fundamental on Sunday with that deep game behind Carvajal, measuring well the moment of unmarking into space. His goal, 0-3, did not come after such an action, but he did have a couple of clear chances in plays identical to those he took advantage of Henry: a ‘chopped’ of pedri similar to the one provided Messi to the French that day in 1-1 and a heads-up with Courtois after running solo from midfield, like ‘Marmoset‘ in quoted 2-4.

And the most important. With that ease and mischief to break the offside, he generated permanent doubts in the Real Madrid defense, which was uncoordinated when throwing the line, as in the 0-4 in which Ferran attended to aubameyang with the subsequent OK of the VAR.

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