Compliments abound for Memphis Depay after his performance for Barcelona in Saturday’s home game against Elche (3-0). The Spanish newspapers saw the Dutch attacker deliver a fine performance in the vanguard, which also consisted of Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembélé. Depay signed for Barcelona’s second goal at the Spotify Camp Nou and was also responsible for an assist.
Mundo Deportivo saw an ‘excellent’ Depay at work against Elche, particularly in the first half. The Spanish newspaper is especially impressed by the technique that the the Dutch international displayed with his goal in the 41st minute. “Depay had a crucial role in the vanguard of Barcelona”, the scoring Dutchman receives as a compliment. “When he was taken to the side, he got a standing ovation from the supporters.” Depay had to make way for Ansu Fati by trainer Xavi in the second half.
Depay with the 2-0! ?? Depay is marginally offside but luckily just on the right side, the recognizable turn followed by a nice finish ??#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #BarcaElche pic.twitter.com/4XSSOUPmF4
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 17, 2022
The outstanding Depay gets from ASH the score 7 as a reward, the same figure as Frenkie de Jong. According to Sport the scoring Depay has ‘showed with a spectacular goal that he can be of value this season’. “There is nothing to criticize about his mentality during the training sessions, which gave Depay a new chance against Elche from Xavi. It sometimes looked hesitant, but he always put good pressure and was also not afraid to take on the duels with his guards.” The newspaper from Spain further emphasizes that the goal just before the break was untenable for the Elche keeper.
The rapporteur of Sport also pays attention in his match report to the ‘decisive’ way of playing Depay against Elche. He was constantly available to his teammates and Depay was involved in almost every attack from Barcelona. It was only the second time this season that the 28-year-old attacker was given playing time in LaLiga. Xavi gave him 57 minutes last week against Cádiz and this Saturday in the game against Elche, Depay was on the field for 59 minutes. He also came to fifteen minutes in the Champions League match with Viktoria Plzen (5-1 victory) earlier this month.
Memphis Depay celebrates his goal with teammate Álex Balde.
Depay was satisfied after the victory at home. “We are on the right track and it is important that we continue to win,” it sounded in conversation with Barcelona TV. “We believe in this way of playing, despite the defeat against Bayern Munich (2-0 in the Champions League, ed.). “There is a good mentality and that makes me happy. We were constantly looking for opportunities and goals. We could have scored even more, but nevertheless I am satisfied.” Depay has not played much this season, although that is no reason for him to despair.
“I do not get much playing time, but I will always continue to work hard,” Depay assures the club channel. “I’m a goalscorer so I love to score goals.” To immediately add: “I need rhythm and that’s difficult when you don’t have much time to play. So it’s good that I now have the chance to represent my country, then come back and play Barcelona. help out.” The Dutch national team will play against Poland (September 22) and Belgium (September 25) in the group stage of the Nations League.
Finally, Depay looks at the collaboration with Lewandowski and Dembélé, the colleagues in the attack in the meeting with Elche. “Lewandowski is an intelligent player and I have enjoyed working with him and Dembele.” With his double strike, Lewandowski now tops the top scorer standings in LaLiga with eight goals. Barcelona will continue the competition after the international match with an away game against Real Mallorca on October 1.