Raphinha scored a magnificent hat-trick in Barcelona’s 3-1 win against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, ensuring that the Catalans will go into the international break with their 100% La Liga record still intact. Let’s look at three talking points from the game…
A needed dose of physicality
Barcelona have long been lauded for the way that they play football, and don’t tend to deviate from their Cruyffian principles.
In some games, however, it has been noticeable how other teams can dominate them in terms of their physical
presence and willingness to use the dark arts to get one over on the Blaugranes.
It’s not that Barca have been a ‘soft touch’ as such, but we’ve rarely seen the entire team playing in a more physical manner… until this season.
Perhaps the addition of Rodri has something to do with it, but regardless, it’s great to see each and every player getting involved in some rough play, and letting the opposition know that they can be beaten at their own game now if that’s how they want to do things.
The tendency for some players to go a little over the top sometimes is there, but that bit of fire in the belly is a necessary ingredient, and it should be welcomed by culers.
Fermin vs Olmo
With Fermin Lopez back in the midfield instead of Dani Olmo, Barcelona looked a much more threatening outfit from the get-go.
This isn’t another pile-on for Olmo, far from it, in fact, because the Spaniard obviously has his qualities; he just has been overshadowed by his younger team-mate so far this season.
Fermin is a much more dynamic attacking midfielder and really affords the Blaugranes something extra in that area of the pitch.
Not only does he play in a tenacious way, but he always does so with 100% effort and commitment and, more often than not, he’ll come up with a goal or assist.
For all Olmo’s natural skill, he’s found himself playing second fiddle to Fermin so far this season but the competition for places will surely only prove healthy for both players.
Barca’s deadly duo: Yamal and Raphinha
Raphinha will take all the headlines after bagging another hat-trick but Lamine Yamal also impressed with another influential display.
The consummate ease with which he routinely beat his closest markers, and the way in which he set up Raphinha for his and Barca’s second and third goals was an absolute joy.
The Barcelona duo are now the only two players with 10+ goal contributions in Europe’s top five leagues and have been in superb form over the last few weeks as Barcelona have made a perfect start to the season.
Raphinha’s goals and Yamal’s silky skills helped win the day and saw the Blaugranes make history after winning their first eight games of a season (all competitions) for the first time ever.
