The prematch lineup came out and some fans were already in revolt. “Luis Enrique is giving up!” “Time to sack him!” The pitchforks were readied.
Jérémy Mathieu at left back? Paco Alcácer starting? Arda Turan in midfield? André Gomes as the pivot? Against a team like Athletic Club Bilbao, you use only 4 starters?
Time for the pitchforks!
Except... Barcelona won 3-0. All right, there was a slice of luck in not conceding early, when Athletic mercifully let off some poor defending from Barcelona, but there’s no getting away from the fact that it was quite the result.