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#3 Neto's snub could mean the end of his Barcelona career
News had filtered in during the week that Neto had sought a transfer away from Barcelona in January.
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His request was blocked by Ronald Koeman, who needs his backup goalkeeper for the rest of the campaign. However, this latest snub might have solidified the Brazilian's decision to leave Camp Nou in the summer.
The 31-year-old joined the Blaugrana from Valencia in the summer of 2019, but has found himself behind Ter Stegen in the pecking order.
So far, Neto has made just 16 appearances for Barcelona in two seasons, and his lack of playing time is said to be his reason for wanting to quit Camp Nou.
After starting the season as Barcelona's goalkeeper in the Copa del Rey, Neto found himself benched in the quarter-final, as Koeman started fielding his strongest side in the competition.
The same thing happened in the Spanish Super Cup; having once again been overlooked in the Copa del Rey, Neto might have strengthened his resolve to leave Barcelona.
#2 Impressive Kounde shows his prowess at both ends
Despite playing at the centre of defence, Jules Kounde found himself in good goal-scoring positions on several occasions.
The 22-year-old has made steady gains since joining Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019, and has continued his upward trajectory this season.
The Frenchman gave another assured display at both ends against Barcelona, although it was his performance in front of goal that was the most impressive.
He had earlier seen a shot flash narrowly wide, before putting his side ahead five minutes later.
The technique and skill required to dribble across the Barcelona defence is attributed to the best midfielders and forwards in the world. The fact that a defender pulled it off with consummate ease defies logic.
Kounde also showed his defensive prowess by pulling off a fabulous challenge to deny Frenkie de Jong a goal-scoring opportunity; the Dutch midfielder had just Bono to beat when the game was still in the balance, but couldn't do so, thanks to Kounde.
#1 Impressive Bono steps up to keep out Lionel Messi
Barcelona recorded three shots on target in the game, with all three coming from the left boot of their mercurial captain Lionel Messi.
The first of those came early in the first half after a good pass by Griezmann, but Bono made himself big to deny the diminutive Argentinian.
Two further saves came in the second half, with the last one coming in injury time, when the Morocco international dived low to his right to keep out a rasping free-kick from the Rosario native.
