Barça Enjoys a Feast Before the Break

Barcelona indulged in a celebration against Valladolid. Hansi Flick's team triumphed 7-0 in a match where everything fell perfectly into place. Goals from Raphinha, who scored three times, Lewandowski, Koundé, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres unleashed euphoria in the Catalan capital and sent a message to the rest of the league before the break. The culés have a full tally of points, but also of sensations.

No time to waste. That’s how Barcelona came out to play against Valladolid. Flick repeated the structure of recent matches, the now customary 4-2-3-1, but with the new inclusions of Balde, Casadó instead of Marc Bernal, and Olmo in the attacking midfield. The strategy was to press the opponent, steal the ball, and be vertical to try to surprise a supposedly organized team. The plan couldn’t have worked better. Lamine Yamal and Balde provided width on the flanks while the spaces in between were perfectly exploited by the playmakers inside to be dangerous and start a constant drip.

Barça’s formula was indeed to be an inexhaustible source. It flowed with rapid circulation from players like Casadó, Pedri, Raphinha, or Dani Olmo, four footballers who swapped positions and were undetectable for Pezzolano’s men. Olmo warned with a rebound that hit the woodwork and Lewandowski and Raphinha with two shots from outside the box that Hein blocked. The goal was a matter of time and came through the Brazilian, who was very active all afternoon. Cubarsí placed a ball behind the central defenders and Raphinha finished with his left foot to put Flick’s team ahead and pave the way.

Díaz de Mera Escudero (Castilla-La Mancha). He booked Javi Sánchez, Kike Pérez, and Mario Martín.

The crack had already been detected and Valladolid was leaking everywhere. Lamine Yamal repeated the idea of ​​the first goal with a deep ball to Lewandowski for the Pole to score the second and continue a festival that had Lluis Companys rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Barça enjoyed themselves for the first time in a long while and wanted more. Dani Olmo hit the woodwork again and the third goal came just before halftime with a rebound that Koundé seized to settle the match.

After the restart, Flick made it clear that intensity is non-negotiable. His team wanted more and didn’t relent on that high press that had collapsed Valladolid in the first half. The culés were flying and generated three clear chances which were thwarted sometimes by Hein and other times by the post. Easing off despite being 3-0 up wasn’t an option and the German coach introduced fresh legs with Sergi Domínguez, Eric García, and Fermín López—three players who came on and contributed to scoring the fourth goal by sheer force after a rebound in the area that Raphinha pushed home.

The festival was complete but lacked a grand finale. All pieces seemed well-oiled for Flick. Dani Olmo was omnipresent, Lamine Yamal caused panic, Lewandowski remained ready to strike, and Raphinha’s performance was becoming extraordinary. The Brazilian has gone from being sacrificed due to a new signing to becoming indispensable. He leads pressing efforts, associates well with everyone, and is decisive in front of goal. Another brilliant ball from Lamine Yamal allowed him to score his third goal and seal his hat trick but it wouldn’t be the last goal of the night. The final ecstasy arrived with goals from Dani Olmo after an individual play culminated with a shot into the far corner and Ferran Torres after a lateral cross from Raphinha. Barça is enjoying itself for the first time in ages and sends a strong message to other teams.