Ivan Rakitić scored a blistering volley from 23 yards out at Wembley Wednesday night, giving Barcelona a 2-0 lead over Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur in the first half. Philippe Coutinho saved the ball from going out on the goal line and kicked it back to the top of the box. Rakitić wound up and sliced a rocket off the left post and in. Absolutely nothing any goalie on this planet could do about it. The match would end 4-2 in Barcelona’s favor, giving them six points from the first two matches of group stage.
After a bad game in La Liga this weekend, most Barca fans were calling for Rakitić’s head. This goal will keep them quiet.
Ivan Perišić and Marcelo Brozović got the start for Inter Milan and played the full match in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. The win gives Inter max points from two matches going into their Barcelona clash at Nou Camp on October 24th. Šime Vrsaljko has yet to return from the injury he sustained vs. Spain.
Dejan Lovren returned to the Liverpool bench, but did not play, as last year’s Champions League finalists lost 1-0 in injury time to Napoli. Marko Rog remained on the bench for Napoli.
Croatian backup goalkeeper Karlo Letica let in three goals against Atletico Madrid in a 3-1 Club Brugge loss. Defender Matej Mitrović remained on the bench as an unused sub for Brugge.
That shot would have been nice during the final against Lloris, just 3 months too late. Nice shot.
Rakitic game is based on reading the game and making purposeful and powerful runs.
He is in the best shape of his career.
Did you watch that little run to the FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP.
I do not see one ounce of slowing down.
He looks like 4 more years of at top level.
Barca need to rest him as they treat him like a rented mule.
He is so enamored with Spain he puts up with it.
Rakitic was never fast and only getting slower. I see him on decline
Yes but his crack is smooth. I’ve tried it. Thanks for the link on the blue magic Truth. My left eye has been a kaleidoscope ever since.
Lol truth is an Idiot
@ Truth
What crack are smoking?
Rakitic is world class.
Kovačić can take Brozovic spot.
Rakitic might be a serious question going forward.
It’s likely kovacic should be taking his starting spot but it won’t happen because of seniority
The ideal would be rakitic agreeing to a role off the bench and starter when there are injuries but he’d retire from the nt before that
Thank you JB
^^ good news!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45733425