Still picking themeselves up from losing Neymar in a painful manner to Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona began their season badly in need of reasons for optimism, but instead got a view of the growing difference they face to catch rivals Real Madrid.
Madrid emerged 3-1 victors from the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday, but more significantly showed who is boss ahead of the new campaign as their success under Zinedine Zidane shows no sign of slowing down after a Champions League and La Liga double last season.
Unless a stunning Barca comeback takes place in Wednesday’s second leg at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu, Real will win a seventh trophy in less than two years under the Frenchman.
By contrast, Barca seem more dependant on the brilliance of Lionel Messi than ever in the wake of Neymar’s departure.
The Argentine led his side back into the game and scored from the penalty spot after Gerard Pique’s own goal had given Madrid the lead.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets piled the growing pressure on the club’s board by insisting they “must” sign top quality players to supplement Barca’s ageing squad, whilst new coach Ernesto Valverde said he wanted “the best team” by the time the transfer window shuts on August 31.
Yet, Barca’s poor record in the transfer market in recent years was exposed once more when Asensio blasted home as the game entered stoppage time.
A disagreement over the instalments in which the Catalans pay the paltry four million euro fee it would take to sign him from Mallorca three years ago saw Madrid nip in to seal the signature of the brightest prospect in Spanish football.
Now at just 21, Asensio, who scored in June’s Champions League final, has now also netted in his last two outings against Barcelona.
“Asensio represents the big difference between Madrid and Barca,” said Madrid sports daily Marca.
“One wins titles, the other loses them. One signs young players with all the talent in the world and the other loses the one who they said would be Messi’s successor.”
The turning tide of Spanish football was even represented in the stands at the Camp Nou.
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