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COPA SCARE: ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN & MARCUS RASHFORD SAVE FLICK'S ROTATED BARçA IN GUADALAJARA.
Barcelona's rotated squad struggled until Andreas Christensen's late goal broke Guadalajara’s defence, followed by a clincher from Marcus Rashford (2-0).
Hansi Flick rotated the squad for their trip to face Guadalajara, a third-division team, at Pedro Escartin, but the team still had plenty of talent. Even so, Barcelona didn't have an easy time in their first Copa del Rey game of the season.
The game was delayed by half an hour to allow fans to enter the temporary stands. The start of the match was slow-paced in the cold weather of Guadalajara. Barcelona searched for openings in Guadalajara's tight defense. Fermin Lopez had a shot from just outside the box, which was their best chance in the first half. Eric Garcia also had two late runs into the box, getting free headers both times. The first header went into the goalkeeper's hands, and the second went over the top.
Barcelona finally broke through after a set piece
At the start of the second half, Marcus Rashford had Barcelona's best chance but couldn't beat Daniel Vicente in goal. Flick started making changes, with Marc Bernal subbed off first. Then, Pau Cubarsi, Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, and Pedri came on to save the game as the second half continued.
Barcelona wasn't making clear progress toward scoring, as Lamine Yamal's attempts were stopped repeatedly. Andreas Christensen had to intercept a cross to stop Guadalajara's best attack. Then, he scored at the other end. With just under 15 minutes left, a cleared corner reached Frenkie de Jong through Pedri. De Jong's cross to the far post found Christensen, whose header deflected off a defender and into the net.
After conceding a goal, Guadalajara showed ambition and energy in pushing forward. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Barcelona's captain and goalkeeper for the first time this season, had to make two saves, including a great one to push away a strong shot from Salifo Caropitchi.
With more space for Barcelona on the counterattack, Guadalajara's failure to score first would be punished. Lamine Yamal cut in from the right and passed behind the right-back to Rashford, who calmly went around Vicente and scored into the top of the net.
Guadalajara received loud support throughout the game, which they deserved for their effort. Many La Liga teams have lost by more. For Flick, the positives were the playing time for youngsters Bernal and Torrents and a strong game from Andreas Christensen.
MLS COUP: ANALYTICAL DEEP DIVE ON ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI'S POTENTIAL CHICAGO TRANSFER
Chicago Fire is in pole position to sign Robert Lewandowski next summer, holding his MLS Discovery Rights despite interest from Inter Miami and Saudi Arabia.
Chicago Fire had good talks with Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski about a move to Major League Soccer.
The Polish star's contract with Barcelona ends this season, and Fire wants to sign the 37-year-old next summer.
Sources say Lewandowski is interested, and his pay shouldn't be a problem.
He could stay with Barcelona or go to the Saudi Pro League, but a move to MLS is a real possibility.
The Fire, who made the MLS playoffs this season for the first time since 2017, have him on their discovery list. This means no other team in the league can sign him without paying Fire a fee.
Inter Miami has also been mentioned, but they can't talk to Lewandowski while he's on that list. Fire is in the best position if he chooses to play in America.
Lionel Messi's Inter has an open spot after Jordi Alba retired after their MLS Cup win against Vancouver this month.
Fire, who also tried to sign Neymar and Kevin de Bruyne earlier this year, has wanted Lewandowski for at least six months. Chicago has the biggest Polish community in the USA, which makes this move make sense.
The former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund player's wife, Anna, visited Chicago last month while in the States.
Lewandowski has scored 109 goals in 164 games for Barcelona and has won La Liga twice since joining in 2022 on a four-year contract.
This season, he has scored eight goals in 17 games, and his team is four points ahead in La Liga.
FERMIN LOPEZ AS FALSE NINE: BARCELONA'S COPA DEL REY MATCH SPAWNS INTRIGUING IDEA
Hansi Flick is considering an unconventional move: deploying Fermin Lopez as a number 9 for the Copa del Rey game. Read the full tactical analysis and risk.
Barcelona's Copa del Rey game against CD Guadalajara might be more interesting than expected, maybe even a step into the next stage.
AS reported that Hansi Flick is thinking about trying something new: using Fermin Lopez as a centre forward. This idea has people talking.
Apparently, it's not a completely new thought. People inside the club have mentioned using Fermin higher up the field before.
Flick said that Fermin is one of the attacking options for the Guadalajara match, and that one comment changed how people view the game.
Why this idea?
Robert Lewandowski is injured, Ferran Torres will likely play against Villarreal, and Marcus Rashford plays better on the left.
So, Fermin is a real option, mainly because he knows how to score.
He's good at getting into scoring positions and finishing plays, even if he usually scores from midfield or the wing, not as a traditional striker.
Here's the possible issue: Playing Fermin as a centre forward could limit what he does best, keeping him from the areas where he's most effective.
But the Copa del Rey is a good chance to try it out. Fermin isn't afraid of physical play, and his ability to connect passes and press hard could make up for not having a typical striker.
What we know for sure is that Fermin will start against Guadalajara. The only question is where he'll play.
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