Barcelona let down by Clement Lenglet

 

The return of Barcelona and Lionel Messi marshaling the side dominated the headlines and the fans started to dream big, but you know what, in sports, the scenario just changes each week and you never know what is waiting for you in the coming days – thus, a team that maintains its consistency like Manchester City is doing, tends to correct the mistakes and work on the loopholes rather than relying too much on the heydays.

The defence of Barcelona has been the thorn in the throat for a while and even though they win matches, the shakiness at the back remains evident. But, it seems that the chink in the armor is always overlooked.

The match against Cadiz was expected to be a sure-win, but yet again, the backline crumbled and Barca had to drop points in a match where Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot.  

Barcelona were awarded a penalty in the 30-minute mark after Isaac Carcelen brought down Pedri. Messi stepped up and sent his compatriot the wrong way to bring up his 16th goal of the campaign.

It was a landmark goal from the Barcelona captain, as he has now scored against 38 different teams in La Liga.

The hosts thought they had doubled their lead on two occasions before half-time, but both goals were correctly ruled out for offside.

After the break, a resolute Cadiz defence kept Barcelona out.

Cadiz came into this game having won just one of their last ten La Liga outings and relegation staring them in the face.

Knowing his side's limitations, manager Alvaro Cervera set his side up to absorb the pressure, with next to nothing offered in terms of attacking play.

His players deserve praise for maintaining their compactness and not giving Barcelona much space. Ledesma in goal also deserves special recognition, as the 32-year-old pulled off some fine saves to keep Cadiz in the game.

A late and rare Cadiz foray into the Barcelona box ended with Clement Lenglet displaying silliness inside the penalty area which led to a Cadiz penalty.

Alex Fernandez, raised at Real Madrid, stepped up to take the ensuing spot-kick, making no mistake from 12 yards to restore parity.

Lenglet was once again the pantomime villain for Barcelona against Cadiz.

He gave away an absurd penalty in the final minutes that cost Barca valuable points - Lenglet was late to a challenge inside the penalty area and took Ruben Sobrino's foot away on a play that seemed to have no danger. 

Lenglet's reaction was annoying for the pundits and fans.

“I think it's questionable, but a penalty can be given,” Ronald Koeman said after the match. “I don't know if the defender should risk going for that ball. Maybe not!”

But this was not the first time that Lenglet made a mistake - The red card in Vigo, the absurd penalty for grabbing Sergio Ramos in the El Clasico, lack of concentration against Cadiz in the first La Liga fixture and his presence at the back never ensures assurance for the Catalans, which makes one of the worst performers.  

In contrast, the young Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza have performed better, while Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti have cut a frustrating figure.

Meanwhile, MARCA states, “The worst news for Barcelona is that on October 20, after the victory against Ferencvaros in the Champions League, the club suddenly announced the renewal of four contracts. The final piece of work of Josep Maria Bartomeu. One of the four players was Lenglet, then considered non-transferable. Barcelona signed him up for five more years until June 30, 2026, and included a crazy buyout clause of 300 million euros, with an annual salary of 5.7m euros.”

“It was a clearly unnecessary renewal that wasn't urgent since the central defender had a deal that was due to run until 2023 after signing from Sevilla in 2018 for a fee of 35.9m euros.”

“In this way, Lenglet has become untouchable along with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Pique, and Frenkie de Jong. He has a status that is far from the performance levels being shown on the pitch.”

Barca has to carry on a player who offers little, still, Koeman needs to find the way and invest more time in genuine performers.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 22/02/2021 Barcelona let down by Clement Lenglet

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Faisal Caesar