LaLiga 2018-19, Barcelona 3-4 Real Betis: 6 reasons why Barcelona lost the match

#1 Malcom failed to take his opportunity

Cultural Leonesa v FC Barcelona - Spanish Copa del Rey

The 20-year-old Brazilian had impressed significantly in Ligue One with Bordeaux and was one of the most sought after prospects in European football owing to his displays.

It therefore came as no surprise to see him linked with a host of the biggest clubs in the world, and Roma would have been very delighted when they seemed in pole position to snap him up, going as far as to announce his impending arrival at the club on twitter.

With thousands of fans waiting to greet him at the Airport until a dramatic twist of events changed the complexity of the transfer.

Barcelona swooped in with a last minute offer, and Malcom changed course by heading to Nou Camp, rather than the Stadio Olimpico, and Roma were so visibly upset by the hijack that they threatened legal action against the Catalans.

Since then, the winger has stuggled for game time at the club, limited to bit part cameo appearances, until he made his Champions League bow in midweek against Inter Milan.

Coming on in the dying moments of the game and opening his account for Barca with the opening goal of the game with what was virtually his first touch of the match.

He was rewarded with a place in the starting lineup, and had big boots to fill, as he was to occupy the role of Phillippe Coutinho, but Malcom failed to reach near the standards of his compatriot, and put up an incognito appearance for the 57 minutes he was on the pitch, before being replaced.

Malcom has sought playing opportunities ever since he made his acrimonious arrival at Barca, and on a night when his wish was granted, he woefully underperformed, and failed to make use of the opportunity, which is a real shame, considering how limited his chances are owing to the abundance of talent in the Barcelona attack.