In the jungle of soccer you have to adapt to win. In such a competitive world where you get trampled at the slightest, you have to be respected. There is no competition more cruel than the Champions League, where the greats have no regard if they are forgiven. Barcelona has been learning it the hard way for years. Without forgetting that also in the League they must compete with Real Madrid, perhaps the most expert in the areas and in taking advantage of their moments. Barça, after changing coaches in the summer, has appeared more warrior, wild and lethal with Flick. In 13 games at the beginning of the season, the Blaugrana have impressed with their scoring instinct, their physical preparation, their fearless personality and their fun and vertical style.
29 goals between Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal
A new voracious trident
Barcelona has the goal between its eyebrows and finds the goal with astonishing ease. He is the top scorer in the League and the second highest scorer in the Champions League. In half of the games, 6 out of 13, the Blaugrana team has celebrated four or more goals. Thanks to his great offensive production, he already has 43 goals, an average of more than three per game. Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal form Der neue trident. The three forwards are in exceptional form. The Pole is always in the right place with agile movements to be a differential thanks to his sense of smell (15 goals), the Brazilian is having a great moment (9) and the young youth squad enjoys both scoring (5) and assisting. They are on pace to pulverize their personal records in the club. Their goals are falling (29) and they have scored three hat tricks.
Second parts were good
Without speculating or slacking
Barça goes out for the games from the first minute. Never better said after what we saw against Bayern and then the piston doesn’t slow down in the second half. Gone was the obligation to come back because the rival was advancing or the dead minutes without rhyme or reason. Here there is no speculation about the result nor does the pace slow down. Barça always wants more and has the fuel to go to the end. In the second parts, performance does not drop, on the contrary. The team finishes strong and finishes what it has started. 20 goals have come after the break. In only three of the games has he not scored goals in that period.
43 goals in 87 shots on goal
Superlative efficiency
Flick’s team crowds the area a lot, with the arrival of their attackers, and gives a constant feeling of danger. Whether through dominance or with recoveries due to high pressing, whether with lateral crosses or passes between the lines, it is evident that he likes to finish attacks. It is a premise to not allow counterattacks to the rival. But it can also boast superlative effectiveness and forcefulness. He is aiming very well and taking advantage of his chances. This explains why 50% of his shots aimed at goal (87) end in a goal (43).
Sounds hard rock without losing classical music
Less touches, more danger
Barça does not hesitate to use the sprint as a weapon. The four goals against Bayern came in a rush. Four quick plays, with few touches and full of vertigo.
Fermín threw Raphinha at speed and he dribbled past the goalkeeper. Lamine Yamal pumped the ball so that Fermín won it from Min-Jae and went ahead of Neuer to leave the goal empty for Lewandowski. Casadó raised the periscope to see Raphinha uncheck at 3-1. And in the fourth, again Lamine Yamal, after receiving a long pass from Pedri, did not think twice and looked for Raphinha in space with another change of direction. Barça understood perfectly how they could hurt the Bavarian defense and executed the plan until they forced their rival to give up. Hard rock sounds without losing the classic symphony.
4 assists from La Masia, 4 goals from foreigners
Quarry and decisive signings
Four assists from La Masia, four goals from foreign signings. It happened on Wednesday in Montjuïc and could be a good summary of the club’s philosophy to grow, be sustainable and compete. All the great Barça teams in history have had a base of local people who are supported by incorporations that are decisive. Six homegrown players started and three more (Olmo, Gavi and Ansu Fati) came on as freshmen. Flick is committed to youth and they bring rebellion while the veterans bring maturity. The kids, led by Lamine Yamal and Cubarsí – minors – play without backpacks. The technician mixes acne with wrinkles, those who want to make a name for themselves in the elite with those who intend to vindicate themselves and even clean theirs.
He knew how to withstand the downpour
Defend without melting
Barcelona knew how to withstand the downpour of Bayern’s first half hour. The Champions League and big games like the classic force, even if you don’t want to, to get behind the rival’s outbursts. The Blaugrana suffered and the tying goal was announced until it got on the scoreboard. But it stayed there. The team, which so many times dissolved like sugar, gained personality and escaped. Iñaki Peña no longer struggled again. Although he has not been able to count on his starting goalkeeper and captain (Ter Stegen) since September, he has only conceded three goals in Montjuïc, where Athletic, Sevilla and the fearsome Bayern have already passed through.
The 11 starters were already in the club
The environment and impact of Flick
Perhaps the most shocking thing about the 4-1 win over Bayern, more than the result and how, is who did it. All the starters and 14 of the 16 players who played in the match were already at the club last season (except Dani Olmo and Ansu Fati, who was loaned to Brighton). They are footballers who were stuck, overcome by circumstances, held back by injuries or protected by their age. But with confidence and a good environment everyone is performing. Pedri, who broke again in the Euro Cup, has played all 13 games without injury and his clairvoyant football shines. Others who have left their muscular problems behind are Iñigo Martínez (12 starts) and Balde (10). For his part, Casadó has jumped two categories at once, from playing in the First RFEF with the reserve team to playing in the elite and in the Champions League. And Pablo Torre (3 goals in the League) leaves his impact when he plays. The benefit is evident in a lethal Barça.
The transformation numbers
A more lethal Barça
43
Goals in 13 games. Average of 3.3 per match
29
Goals between Lewandowski (15), Raphinha (9) and Lamine Yamal (5)
3
Hat-tricks and 10 different scorers
11
All the starters against Bayern were already at the club last season
13
Pedri has played consecutive games, without any injury
#wild #Barça #dares
