Adeyemi’s kicker, defensive struggles | Three takeaways from Barcelona 7-2 Racing Club | OneFootball

Barcelona could not keep scoring five goals in every game beyond a point, and that breaking point arrived last night when they surpassed expectations and hit seven.

Truth be told, however, the scoreline could well have been far uglier for Racing Club as Barcelona missed one penalty, hit the woodwork and missed chances aplenty as they racked up an xG of close to seven.

Raphinha bagged a hat-trick, Joao Cancelo a brace and Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal joined the party later as the Catalans cruised to their most comfortable win yet. The attack, at this point, appears imperious while the defence continues to suffer.

Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Barcelona 7-2 Racing Santander.

Two goal-laden performances

Of the seven goals Barcelona put past Racing Santander last night, five were distributed between two goalscorers, both of whom put up inspiring performances – Joao Cancelo and Raphinha.

Barcelona scored seven goals vs Racing. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Cancelo was the headliner in the first -half as he scored two stunning goals past the Racing Club goalkeeper – and his celebrations themselves made it clear how special being at Barcelona is for him.

The Portuguese full-back opened his account with a thunderous strike from outside the box. Receiving a cross-field ball, he controlled it to perfection and struck it into the top far corner, hitting the post and seeing the ball enter the back of the net.

Later in the same half, Cancelo again struck from outside the box and saw the ball beat the goalkeeper, although this time there was a mild deflection off Asier Villibre. The goal appears to be credited as an own goal, but it was Cancelo through and through who deserves the credit.

The second standout goal-laden performance was again from the captain Raphinha as he bagged his first hat-trick of the new campaign.

He opened his scoring books from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, converting the spot-kick with ice-cold precision. Three minutes before half-time, he completed his brace with a lovely control and finish in tight space. Dani Olmo assist.

He had a chance to complete a first-half hat-trick when Karim Adeyemi won a late penalty, but he chose to hand it to Lamine Yamal who missed. Eventually, he did complete his hat-trick in the second half via another penalty won by Karim Adeyemi – signing off in signature fashion.

Adeyemi’s got the kicker

Karim Adeyemi was handed the start ahead of Anthony Gordon last night against Racing Santander, and to say the player impressed would be an understatement.

Karim Adeyemi was fantastic against Racing. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

It has always been evident that the former Borussia Dortmund star brings a very different profile to Barcelona’s attack and that his adaptation would be slower than that of Gordon.

Yet, his unique profile is what makes him a massive attacking threat, and that became clear after the team’s win last night.

While Adeyemi’s finishing could indeed have been better, he was a massive attacking menace on the left-flank who tormented the visitors’ defence mercilessly.

His ability to burst out with pace, change directions with ease, and dribbling prowess all make him a transitional monster, and he was the team’s primary switch from defence to attack throughout the game.

Adeyemi’s runs in the box won Barcelona two straight penalties last night – a clear indication of what a menace he made himself. He had an xG of 1.83, yet failed to score and had a staggering eight shots on the night.

Beyond that, Adeyemi also completed four key passes, created three big chances and completed 86% of his passes. The winger also had six successful dribbles out of an attempted seven and earned a special assist for Lamine Yamal’s goal at the very end of the clash.

He is, no doubt, a very special player who will have a massive role as the season progresses. The Adeyemi-Gordon situation appears to be heading in the same direction as the Dani Olmo-Fermin Lopez case.

Clean sheet struggles continue

Barcelona dominated Racing Club as they did to no other club last night, and virtually every chance created was in their favour. At one point, they had a staggering 80% of possession.

Barcelona were unable to keep a cleansheet. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Yet, Hansi Flick’s side let two goals leak through, both of which were completely avoidable. And that has been the problem for Barcelona this season – not the goals conceded but the manner in which they have arrived.

The first goal Barcelona conceded last night was bizarre as the defence appeared to be napping. On Racing’s counter-attack, Gerard Martin and Andreas Christensen were both mispositioned and Joao Cancelo’s touch on the ball only sent it more into the attacker’s path. 

As the game progressed, Barcelona went on to concede one more goal – this time even more unnecessary than the previous one. 

On the second occasion, it was Wojciech Szczesny who made a massive error and lost the ball directly in front of goal, gifting Racing a goal on a platter.

There are not too many negatives to take away from the performance last night, but if one had to nitpick one, it would be the defensive lapses.

At this point, moreover, Barcelona have only maintained a clean sheet in one of their last five games, and it is a matter Hansi Flick and Co. must look to address at the earliest.