The slap we needed to face what is coming: the hot takes from PSG-Barça

BarcelonaThe first defeat for Barça 26-27 arrived at the Parc des Princes. The Blaugrana fell to PSG 4-2 after an unfavorable exchange of blows in the final stretch. Below are some hot takes.

The best fuel. Losing to a perfect machine like PSG is the most normal thing. And if you have important absences in defense, even more so. In fact, Joan Garcia avoided an even heavier result. Despite scoring a great goal in the second half, Lamine Yamal did not have his best night. Raphinha and Gordon were not sharp either. But you cannot hand out big beatings following a match without classification impact and on the eve of a classic that is really what matters this week. This defeat is a timely wake-up call. There is no doubt that it is the first puff towards the solvent triumph that awaits us on Sunday.

The enormous merit of Xavi Espart. The choice of full-backs to cover the absences of Eric and Kounde has several readings. The first and most obvious is that Balde, in case it wasn't clear enough, will have to pack his bags if he wants to play anything this season. That said, of Espart and Cancelo, the two chosen at the Parc des Princes, one head and one tail. The head went to the man from Maresme, who in his first big European test dried up a nuisance like Kvaratskhelia and added a goal. Luis Enrique was not expecting this one. And the tail, for the Portuguese, incapable of controlling Doué and Hakimi in a new demonstration of defensive difficulties on big days.

It had lasted too long. It must be said that Dani Olmo had been on a magnificent streak of physical reliability. In fact, since Flick's second season, he was the Culer footballer (along with Gerard Martín) who had played the most matches (61). But the intensity associated with a duel against PSG arrived, and the Terrassa native's punished fibers resigned. He will be greatly missed in a scenario with fewer spaces like the one Mourinho will paint in Sunday's Clásico. Perhaps it was he and not Rodri who should have rested a little, thinking about the Clásico. Furthermore, Paris was a great venue for Fermín to start galloping.

The reality of Ferran Torres. Olmo's injury, however, was a joke compared to those Luis Enrique had to compensate for on the fly. PSG, which had already lost Nuno Mendes, had to give up Dembélé in the 19th minute and Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia in the 58th. A very high price even for the two-time continental champion. Especially because of what the absence of the Mosquito, the current Ballon d'Or winner, means if the one who comes in to replace him is Ferran Torres, a forward less gifted than him in general. The Valencian retains his sex appeal in Paris, but also the feeling that he will never be undisputed in a team that aspires to everything.