Barcelona fans single unsung hero out for special praise after crucial Villarreal win
Barcelona’s supporters have taken to social media in numbers on Saturday evening, to single an oft-criticised member of the club’s squad out for widespread praise.
Depay amongst the goals
The Blaugrana, of course, were back in action a short time ago.
After making it two unbeaten under the watch of new boss Xavi Hernandez in a Champions League meeting with Benfica during the week, Barca tonight made the trip to El Madrigal, for a tricky La Liga showdown with Villarreal.
And, when all was said and done, the positive early signs post-Ronald Koeman continued to mount, en route to a crucial 3-1 triumph.
After Frenkie de Jong opened the game’s scoring early in the 2nd-half, Villarreal appeared very much in the ascendancy upon pulling one back with a quarter of an hour to play.
Villarreal are level!
Samu Chukwueze with an excellent finish to beat ter Stegen pic.twitter.com/xSVU8Hcdfg
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) November 27, 2021
The visitors, though, soon regathered themselves, before late strikes on the part of Memphis Depay and forgotten man Philippe Coutinho ensured that all three points headed back to Catalunya.
Memphis Depay comes up with what should be a late winner!
Route one rather than tiki-taka, but Barcelona won’t mind this time! pic.twitter.com/n53mGAs6dm
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) November 27, 2021
MAtS hailed
As alluded to above, however, in the aftermath of the final whistle sounding at El Madrigal, it is in fact not the likes of goalscorers Depay and Coutinho who have stolen the hearts of many a Barcelona fan.
Instead, this honour has been reserved for goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
German international ter Stegen, so often singled out for criticism over the last 12 months, looked back to his imperious best this evening, keeping Barca in proceedings with a string of top-class saves during the first-half, and even chipping in with the assist for Depay’s crucial go-ahead strike.
In turn, the Blaugrana faithful have since been quick to lavish praise on their side’s no.1, with some having gone as far as to definitively assure that ter Stegen is ‘back’:
Old MAtS is back with his top long passes
— #ForçaBarça (@BarcaStat) November 27, 2021
MATS
— Farhan (@CuleDelBarca10) November 27, 2021
De jong did good but ter stegen deserved it
— YOUSEF ES (@Otakuo_04) November 27, 2021
Another @mterstegen1 masterclass under Xavi ✍️ buzzing from that pass.
We took advantage more of their weak side (left) than they did of ours (right) and rightfully won. Been a while since I enjoyed such a game of ours. Xavineta is well and truly back in La Liga— Vid (@notsmartiyerboy) November 27, 2021
HOLYYY Memphis actually scored mats good awareness ❤️
— Zarsh (@Harshith_pjk) November 27, 2021
That’s why Ter Stegen is Our number one.
Great game, second half wasn’t too a strong performance but we got the results.
The team will continue to improve.
We need Fati back, and we need goalscorer.
We are rebuilding for next season. Viscal Barça
— Adesunkanmi! (@Pob_City) November 27, 2021
You spread Mats prop because he’s had a masterclass, I spread Mats prop because he’s the GOAT
We are not the same. pic.twitter.com/akYf2p57oH
— MatsSZN (@ThankULeo) November 27, 2021
I mean Frenkie was great but Mats made crucial saves and the ball for the 2nd goal was the key for victory
— RVénger (@R__venger) November 27, 2021
Mats might be back
— (@HariFCMessi) November 27, 2021
Mis notas:
Ter Stegen – 10
Eric – 4
Piqué – 8
Araujo – 7
Alba – 7
Busquets – 7
Gavi – 6,5
Nico – 5
Abde – 7
Depay – 6’5
Dembele – 5
Coutinho – 5
Mingueza – 4— Estilo Cruyff⚽ (@EstiloCruyff) November 27, 2021
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