Felix starts firing just in time for Barcelona
BARCELONA: Barcelona forward Joao Felix ended a long goal drought with a vital strike this week, ominous timing for his parent club Atletico Madrid, who visit the Catalan capital on Sunday in La Liga. The Portuguese attacker struck the winner against Porto to help Barcelona reach the Champions League last 16 after two humiliating group stage exits, a goal which will give him confidence ahead of Atletico's arrival. Felix started brilliantly after his late summer switch on loan from Atletico, but quickly faded out and had not scored for his club since mid-September – a barren run of 12 matches. Diego Simeone's dangerous Atletico, third, are ahead of Barcelona on goal difference and Felix will be aiming to make a statement after a tough time in the capital. Atletico splashed 126 million euros ($138 million) on the forward in 2019 from Benfica to replace Antoine Griezmann, who left for Barcelona. The Frenchman failed to make an impact in the Catalan capital and returned to Atletico, where he is shining. Felix's time at Atletico was frustrating, with moments of genius on occasion showing his quality, but consistency eluded him. The forward never seemed to fit in with Simeone's desire for a team which works relentlessly all over the pitch. Felix prefers to play at his own rhythm and impressed in the win over Porto with his well-taken strike and another drive he crashed off the crossbar. While things are looking brighter for him at Barcelona, he and the team have both found themselves questioned over the past few weeks.
Barca lost the Clasico against Real Madrid, fell 1-0 away against Shakhtar Donetsk and have played poorly in La Liga in other matches, despite avoiding other defeats.
The Spanish champions start the weekend four points behind leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Girona, and while they are level with Atletico, Simeone's team have a game in hand.
Barca coach Xavi Hernandez hopes Felix's winner and reaching the next round of the Champions League can help the club turn their recent dip in performances around.
"I think we dominated in terms of play, dominated the game, the second half, I insist, is the path we have to follow – I hope it can be a turning point," said Xavi.
"Felix was good, incisive, he scored the goal... and forwards are freer when they've scored."
Felix combined well with his compatriot Joao Cancelo, who set him up to score, with the pair both likely to start against Atletico.
Some of the worries around the club were eased by their comeback win over Porto and if they can take three more points at the weekend, the waters will be considerably calmer.
Real Madrid will be confident of staying top of the table with a win over 19th-placed strugglers Granada when they face off on Saturday afternoon, while Girona welcome Valencia earlier that day.
The Ghana forward has been in superb form this season, netting six goals and providing three assists in 14 appearances in La Liga. Los Leones are leaning on Williams to make the difference against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and continue the club's push to break into the top four.
13.6 - Real Madrid create more chances per game than any other La Liga team
30 - Real Betis playmaker Isco has passed the ball into the area more than any other player
67 - Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has been kept busy, making the most saves in the league.
相关推荐
-
21 Caves That Offer Otherworldly Experiences
-
US, other UNSC members except Russia, China, condemn North Korean missile launch
-
餐饮生意遇冷 聚餐订单退了 高档酒不好卖
-
North Korea asks China, Russia for help amid COVID crisis: reports
-
SCOTUS: The courts implementing Project 2025, without Trump.
-
100亿尾鳜鲈苗“三水育全国养”,“中国鳜鱼之都”背后实力有哪些?
- 最近发表
-
- Military prosecutors indict intel official over leaking 'black agent' info
- 在广州地铁线下商城,轻松购“清远好风土”系列产品
- Netherlands setup Portugal final date in Nations League
- 85岁老“八路”抒写“晚晴”受表彰
- US to oppose North Korean worker dispatch to occupied Ukrainian territory: State Dept.
- Sorry, the iPhone 13's satellite features will likely be only for emergencies
- 雅安日报荣膺“2012十大公信力地市党报”
- US warns against hiring North Korean IT workers posing as non
- 10 Big Misconceptions About Computer Hardware
- North Korea's media shifts stance, questions effectiveness of COVID
- 随机阅读
-
- By a technicality, August's full moon is blue. Here's why.
- Hawaii lawmaker urges Trump to speak directly with NK leader
- North Korean leader vows to bolster nuclear capabilities
- WhatsApp will have end
- South Korean lawmakers brace for US election as Harris, Trump diverge on North Korea
- [Newsmaker] S. Korea faces balancing act between sanctions, support for NK joining Olympics
- 荥经县174名贫困学生获资助
- North Korea struggling to secure 'advanced' nuclear technology: expert
- Cheap heat
- Why every big tech company wants a 'Game of Thrones'
- “全国人文社会科学普及基地”落户上里
- “迎新春送温暖”石棉县举行2013年“三下乡”活动
- We Bought the Cheapest DDR5 RAM Modules We Could Find, Are They Any Good?
- 购买便宜羽绒服 小心内有蹊跷
- 汉源县选派19名干部到村 任第一书记
- Premier League's European domination not all good for England
- 50 Years Later: The Revolutionary 8008 Microprocessor
- “迎新春送温暖”石棉县举行2013年“三下乡”活动
- Shirtless Mario is here to ruin all of your happy childhood video game memories
- 'Darkest Hour' review: Gary Oldman shines in WWII drama
- 搜索
-
- 友情链接
-