Barcelona 4-1 Huesca : 5 talking points as Lionel Messi creates history | La Liga 2020-21

#3 Ronald Koeman's 3-4-3 works wonders for Barcelona yet again

Frenkie de Jong featured as a centre-back against Huesca.

We are midway through March, and it seems Barcelona head coach Ronaldo Koeman has finally settled on a system that brings out the best of his stars. Frenkie de Jong once again played at the heart of a three-man defence, flanked by Clement Lenglet and Oscar Mingueza.

The Dutchman's passing was crucial in bypassing Huesca's first line of press, and Pedri and Busquets recycled the ball brilliantly to Barcelona's front three. The trio of Griezmann, Messi and Dembele was absolutely brilliant, with moments of exquisite interplay bamboozling the Huesca defence.

2 - Lionel Messi 🇦🇷 is the second @LaLigaEN player to reach double figures for both goals (26) and assists (10) this season in all competitions, after Antoine Griezmann 🇫🇷 (13 and 11). Duo. pic.twitter.com/poXgX9gLkI

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 15, 2021

The energy of Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba down either wing caused quite a few nervous moments for the Huesca defence, although the visitors did take advantage of the space left behind to counter attack.

With the El Clasico on the horizon, Koeman may have stumbled upon a formation that could serve as a blueprint for the future, just at the right time.

---

#4 Barcelona young guns offer hope

Oscar Mingueza (third from right) scored his first goal for Barcelona.

Prior to the season, Oscar Mingueza was staring at a long season cementing his place at the heart of Barcelona B's defence. Yet, ever since November, the centre-back has lived every youngster's dream, stepping up to the first team and performing with aplomb.

There have been a few bad moments, as is wont for a player experiencing his first-ever top-flight season, but Mingueza has answered his manager's call in the absence of Gerard Pique. He deserved his goal on the night, and much like his fellow Barcelona youngsters, Minguez rarely put a foot wrong.

Óscar Mingueza has scored his first ever senior goal for Barcelona. What a moment for the 21-year-old. pic.twitter.com/4lOuoVSafa

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 15, 2021

Ronald Koeman's bravado in being reliant on his youngsters has been paying rich dividends all season. Right from Ansu Fati, Ilaix Moriba and Pedri to the likes of Mingueza and Ronald Araujo, the Blaugrana are set to reap the fruits of their early-season patience at the right time.

---

#5 La Liga title race heats up

Ronald Koeman could end the season with a domestic double.

Atletico Madrid's goalless draw against Getafe placed the onus on Barcelona to claw back the gap, and the Catalans responded with aplomb.

The Rojiblancos continue to stutter, and Real Madrid continue to rely on Karim Benzema's magic to bail them out. However, Barcelona have yet to lose a game in the league since their 1-2 defeat to Cadiz in early December.

Koeman's side are undefeated in 16 games, dropping only six points in the process. As the La Liga's most in-form team at the moment,, it's hardly unreasonable to fathom Barcelona cannot claw back a four point gap.

A Copa del Rey final awaits the Blaugrana next as well as a titanic El Clasico that could well decide the fate of the La Liga title this season. For all the criticism that Ronald Koeman bore at the start of the season, he could very well end up with the perfect riposte - silverware.