Barça Atlètic Stumbles: Lack of Ambition Costs Victory Against SD Logroñés

“Barça Atlètic conceded an unforgivable draw at Johan Cruyff Stadium against an SD Logroñés side fighting to avoid relegation. Rafa Márquez’s team displayed tremendous superiority for much of the game but lacked the ambition to seal the match, allowing Jordi Escobar to salvage a point for the Riojan side in the 86th minute, capitalizing on one of their few chances.

From the initial whistle, the Riojan team, under their fourth coach of the season, Aitor Larrazabal, adopted a defensive stance with five men at the back and an additional three in midfield to thwart Márquez’s attacks. However, the first half-hour saw a commendable performance from the young Blaugrana midfielders. Aleix Garrido, Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, and Moha orchestrated the ball effectively, aided by Unai Hernández on the left flank. The Blaugrana’s dominance was evident through well-organized positioning and swift ball circulation.

In the opening 15 minutes, Barça Atlètic generated four dangerous opportunities. The first was a header from Mbacke following a corner, the second a promising individual play by Pau Víctor lacking a finisher, the third an individual effort by Unai Hernández with a shot wide, and the fourth, a goal by Pau Víctor, exploiting a misfired shot from Marc Bernal. The striker, on loan from Girona, scored his twelfth goal, closely observed by Quique Cárcel, Girona’s sporting director.

After the goal, Barça Atlètic maintained control but with less ambition, slower ball circulation, and some lapses in the final minutes, requiring Marc Vidal’s intervention to prevent Conejero from equalizing in an isolated play.

The Draw Seeking to close the game, Barça Atlètic started the second half. Unhappy with the final minutes of the first half, Rafa Márquez introduced Noah Darvich and Naim. Despite promising actions from Naim, the Riojan goalkeeper thwarted Aleix Garrido’s goal attempt, and he also had to intervene against shots from Pau Víctor and Mika Faye.

The team tried but continued to struggle to seal the score against a less ambitious SD Logroñés. The substitutions did not quite work, and Jordi Escobar threatened with an action that Marc Vidal skillfully saved. The lack of ambition proved costly for Márquez’s team as Jordi Escobar found the net in the 86th minute. After that, it was all haste. Noah Darvich and Naim attempted, with Marc Guiu visibly injured on the field. However, time ran out. An inexcusable draw conceded.”