Barcelona 3-2 Elche: Nico rescues Xavi's men after second-half slip-up

Nico Gonzalez gave Barcelona just their third win under Xavi as they battled to a 3-2 home victory over Elche in LaLiga on Saturday.

The Catalans looked to be cruising to a much-needed win, Ferran Jutgla and Gavi each scoring their first goals for the club in a one-sided first half in which they had 12 shots to Elche's one.

However, Tete Morente pulled a goal back before setting up Pere Milla to level the scores barely a minute later as defensive concerns were again laid bare to the Camp Nou crowd.

But Nico swept home a fine finish in the 85th minute to snatch a morale-boosting win for the Blaugrana.

Jutgla, who scored a fine goal in the Maradona Cup exhibition match this week, broke the deadlock with a precise header from Ousmane Dembele's 16th-minute corner.

Barca's second came just three minutes later through Gavi, who spun cleverly away from Omar Mascarell, sat down Enzo Roco on the edge of the box and drilled a low finish beyond Edgar Badia.

Roco really should have pulled a goal back but somehow lofted the ball over the bar with the Barca goal at his mercy, while Frenkie de Jong and Jutgla could each have done better after being sent clear in the Elche box.

Elche continued to pose a threat on the break and they got a goal back just after the hour mark, Morente firing high past Marc-Andre ter Stegen from the right of the box after Lucas Boye played him through.

Just two minutes later, the game was all square: Milla, left unmarked at the left-hand post, stooped to head in Morente's cross, with Ter Stegen unable to keep the ball out.

Jutgla somehow turned the ball over with the goal gaping, and Nico had an effort cleared off the line by the covering Helibelton Palacios, but the Barca midfielder picked out the top-left corner superbly in the closing minutes after good work from Dembele and Gavi.
 

What does it mean? Barca show spirit but problems remain

Barca now sit three points outside the top four with a game in hand, while just a third win since Xavi's return to the club will serve as a welcome boost.

Their first-half performance was very strong, but the manner in which they gave up chances to a side who have not beaten them in LaLiga since 1974 should be a major concern.

Gavi may hold the key

Sometimes, it is worth remembering that Gavi will not turn 18 until just before the start of the 2022-23 season.

Barca's midfield prodigy suited the 3-4-3 system perfectly, running proceedings from the off. In the first half alone, he completed all 35 of his attempted passes as well as scoring his first goal for the club.

The present may be uncertain for Barca, but their future certainly looks bright.

Barca defence the gift that keeps on giving

Coming into this game, Barca had kept only three clean sheets in LaLiga this season, the joint-lowest tally in the competition.

Their defensive frailties were again exposed against a team without a league goal at Camp Nou since 1978.

What's next?

Barca conclude their 2021 duties away to Sevilla on Tuesday, while Elche do not play again until they host Granada on January 2.