Espanyol 1-1 Barcelona: 5 Talking Points

#5 The fullback conundrum

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Valverde has already started with Luca Digne and Nelson Semedo in the fullback positions earlier this season, but the pair truly stifle Barcelona's ability to create. Of course, the conditions did make it hard for them, but it is clear that Ernesto Valverde is concerned with those spots.

Semedo's performance was decent enough, but he lacks the fluency that Sergi Roberto shares with the rest of his teammates. The Portuguese right-back sent plenty of early crosses in the first half, but none of Luis Suarez or Paco Alcacer were present to take advantage.

Barcelona looked much better once both Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto came on - if an injury happens to striker either of the pair, Barcelona may look at their UEFA Champions League ambitions quite nervously.