La Liga 2018-19, Barcelona 2-0 Espanyol: 3 reasons why Barcelona won the game

#3 Barcelona’s settled backline

Barcelona's defenders are coping well without Umtiti

Many expected the injury concerns of Samuel Umtiti to have an effect on the defensive capacity of the Barcelona team but the consistent performances of Clement Lenglet have put all the doubts to rest.

The versatile Sergi Roberto was benched in this game and the more physical Nelson Semedo started in place of him. In this game, Semedo’s pace allowed him to track back with ease and he won one on one duels with some solid defending.

Pique was at his usual best as he played out some good long passes to the wingers and cleared the crosses easily. Pique also covered for Jordi Alba whenever he made a run deep into the opposition half. Lenglet’s tackles and his aggressive pressing to win back the ball helped Barcelona to retain possession. On current form, even someone as good as Samuel Umtiti will find it tough to find a place in this Barcelona team as they have all bases covered.

With this stable defence, Espanyol could not find a way past them to score.