Beaten in the Clasico, FC Barcelona was already seven points behind Real Madrid, victorious over Valencia this weekend. Before facing Elche, the Catalans were obliged to win without Pedri, injured like Christensen, Gavi, Raphinha, Joan Garcia and Ter Stegen, while Lewandowski and Olmo started on the bench against an Elche team eager to strike a big blow to grab the top of the table. But after a few minutes where Franjiverdes held the ball, Barça rolled.
First, Baldé could sneak into the center and find Lamine Yamal, who opened the scoring after a nice sequence (1-0, 10th). Before Ferran made the break immediately by taking advantage of an error in restarting the opposing defense (2-0, 12th). Barça progressed quickly thanks to two risky restarts from Elche and were able to calmly make the game. But after another offside trap missed by the Catalan defense, Rafa Mir was able to roll in alone from the left side to reduce the score (2-1, 42nd).
Rashford still decisive
But the match heated up after this reduction in the score. First, Rashford missed the break ball, before seeing his goal refused for an offside by Lamine Yamal at the start of the action (52nd). Elche took advantage and the spinning Rafa Mir sent his ball onto Szczesny’s crossbar (55th). In a slow time, Barça relied on a superb cross from Fermin for Rashford, who controlled and propelled the ball into Pena’s net, with the help of the cross (3-1, 61st).
A hard blow for Elche, who had a good match and still found the post (68th). Barça, more realistic, recovered by regaining victory and returned to five points behind Real Madrid, before a trip to Club Bruges, in the Champions League. Elche failed to overturn the Blaugranas and therefore lost before receiving Real Sociedad.
