Surely, Barcelona were the hot favourites in Camp Nou. None
could remember when did they lose a Champions League match at the home ground
for the last time. Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli came to Camp Nou with the least
expectations but were determined that they would make it easier for Barca.
The start of Napoli was electrifying.
Dries Mertens clipped the woodwork inside two minutes and
until Napoli went one goal down within nine minutes, the Barcelona backline was
put under immense pressure – Napoli meant business.
In the ninth minute Clement Lenglet heading home unmarked
from Ivan Rakitic's inswinging corner, with the goal standing after a VAR check
for a possible foul on Diego Demme.
Yet, it seemed fairly clear that the defender pushed Diego
Demme in order to gain an advantage for his header.
Juan Andujar Oliver said to Raido Marca, “There is a push on
Demme in the attempt to win the position [in the box], he gets him out the
way.”
“The Turk [Cuneyt Cakir] is a referee who lets the play
flow, but this time he should not have allowed Barcelona's goal [to stand].”
When Barcelona were stranglehold by the Italians, immediate help was needed for them to get them back into the game and the VAR came to the rescue. Napoli were dented psychologically and a mediocre Barca took the advantage by scoring two goals in quick succession.
Even though the penalty against Napoli was dubious as
well.
Thankfully, sanity prevailed among the officials that they
did not allow the handball-goal of Lionel Messi to stay.
Lionel Messi's second goal in the 29th minute, which was
initially given before a VAR review led to it being ruled out for a handball.
“It hits the hand and is the only criterion to date,” said
Andujar Oliver.
The Catalan media might raise a question about the penalty
awarded to Napoli, but before creating noise they need to watch video footage
minutely.
In the 48th minute, Ivan Rakitic arrived late and caught
Dries Mertens in the Barcelona area, with the result being a Napoli penalty that
Lorenzo Insigne converted.
“The contact is less than Koulibaly's, but it's true that
Rakitic kicks him from behind,” said Andujar Oliver.
VAR hit Napoli badly, but they were not down and out.
In the second half, they came back strongly and exhibited a
better temperament than the Catalan Club.
Napoli’s pressing with or without the ball totally kicked
Barcelona out of the game and when Arek Milik Luzano was introduced, the Barca
backline were caught on the back foot. Again, why Gattuso did not introduce
them earlier in the second half cannot be understood.
Napoli would leave Spain displaying the right intent and
brilliant football and they have left Barca thinking about their overall
mediocrity.
Obviously, Bayern Munich would not spare them until and unless VAR interfere!
Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 08/08/2020 VAR helps mediocre Barcelona progress
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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