Barcelona’s Dominant Victory
In a stunning display of talent, Barcelona’s Raphinha made a significant impact after being left out of the starting lineup due to a late arrival at a pre-game activation session. The Brazilian forward netted twice in the team’s impressive 6-0 victory against Valencia on Sunday in La Liga. Along with Raphinha’s brace, Fermín López and Robert Lewandowski each contributed two goals, solidifying Barcelona’s position with 10 points from their first four league matches this season.
Surprising Lineup Decisions
The decision to bench Raphinha, despite expectations for him to start on the right wing in light of Lamine Yamal’s injury, came as a surprise. Coach Hansi Flick opted to give Swedish prodigy Roony Bardghji his debut instead. Sources suggest that a slight misunderstanding was responsible for Raphinha’s lateness—an issue that had also affected other players like Jules Koundé and Iñaki Peña in the past.
Match Highlights
Following a goalless first half, Barcelona struggled to create chances until Fermín struck from a difficult angle. The midfielder’s second goal came shortly after Raphinha replaced Bardghji at halftime, capitalizing on a cross from Marcus Rashford. Reflecting on the summer speculation linking him to Chelsea, Fermín reaffirmed his commitment to the club:
“I never had any doubts. I wanted to stay here and I will fight to stay for many years.”
Coach’s Praise and Player Milestones
Flick expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting Raphinha’s adaptability and strong work ethic throughout the week leading up to the match.
“Only 11 players can start,”
he stated with a smile, acknowledging the depth within the squad.
“His mentality is fantastic; he wants to learn and play with the team.”
Raphinha’s first goal of the match put Barcelona comfortably ahead, and Lewandowski made sure to seal the win with two goals of his own, the latter assisted by Marc Bernal. Bernal’s return to the pitch after a lengthy recovery from a torn ACL was celebrated by fans at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, marking a significant milestone for the young player. Flick praised Bernal’s hard work during his absence and noted that it was a moment of joy for both the player and the supporters.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, Barcelona prepares to embark on their Champions League campaign with a challenging fixture against Newcastle United this Thursday. Flick acknowledged the quality of Premier League teams and expressed anticipation for the match, emphasizing the coaching staff’s impressive work.
As the season progresses, the Catalan side will need to maintain high intensity and teamwork if they hope to achieve success both domestically and in Europe.
