Cádiz 0-1 FC Barcelona: Flash of brilliance seals three points

As Xavi made very clear in his pre-game press conference, beating Real Madrid in next week’s Clásico would be meaningless if FC Barcelona didn’t first do likewise against Cádiz.

Far from the most beautiful performance of the season was less a case of storming to the three points as one of grinding out the right result. It wasn’t a dazzling game, but especially after Madrid had just scraped a 1-0 win of their own in Mallorca, the most important thing was the result. And it was the one Barça needed.

So, the difference at the top of table remains eight points, but that could be cut down to five next Sunday. Before that there’s the not-too-small matter of the Champions League to worry about. Big days incoming…

Grinding out the win

Barça may have had no fewer than three suspensions to work around, but the coach clearly intended to rotate his squad a little for this one anyway, what with the second leg against PSG coming up in just three day’s time. But with time running out and the result still up in the air, some of the bigger names on the bench would be sent on for the final minutes.

The only goal of the game took some time coming, and there were remarkably few moments when Barça threatened to add any more. And although Cádiz were finding it painfully difficult to capitalise on their own chances, the one-goal cushion was too close for comfort.

Félix MVP

João Félix had got Barça off the mark with a goal as spectacular as the 37 minutes leading up to it were not. Precious little had happened until the home defence failed to clear a corner and the Portuguese striker ended up converting with a dazzling overhead kick.

In a game devoid of many highlights, that goal was a diamond in the rough. An absolute corker.

Cádiz try in vain

Indeed, Félix was very much the standout performer in this game. He’d hit the post later on, and was also involved in the build-up when Fermin Lopez looked certain to make it 2-0 but the ball was blocked on the Cádiz line.

The Andalusians are staring relegation in the face, and understandably so based on the early stages of the game. But buoyed by a lively atmosphere in the Nuevo Mirandilla, they gradually started giving Ter Stegen more and more to worry, and Juanmi even had him beaten, but was a bus ride offside when he did so.

It was no easy ride, but Barça managed to hold on until the end to claim an amazing sixth clean sheet in a row in La Liga. Next up, it's PSG. And after that, Real Madrid. Seven days that could make or break the season... Watch this space!