Although Barcelona should’ve been home and dry against Elche before half-time, the three points were never truly in doubt.
Opponents who preferred to invite pressure onto them were always going to be easy
pickings over the course of 90+ minutes, and it was always going to be a question of when, not if, the game was going to be sentenced in Barca’s favour.
Rafa Mir’s 41st-minute riposte for the visitors delayed the inevitable, but once Marcus Rashford added a third goal, it was game over.
Make that 22 unbeaten games against Elche and a ninth win in a row vs this opponent.
It’s worth pondering too on whether news that Lamine Yamal was still going to be suffering the ill effects of a recent injury were greatly exaggerated.
Barca’s go-to guy looked more than up for the fight from kick-off, taking responsibility at every opportunity and driving at the visiting defence.
That didn’t seem like the actions of a player that’s particularly worried for his immediate or longer-term future, and he wasn’t the only bright spot on the night either.
Whilst Rashford was initially guilty of squandering a few chances, he was busy and involved throughout, and the way in which he finished his goal was indicative of his current form.
The assist for that one was epic from Fermin Lopez, another player who deserves plaudits for a brilliant showing.
Purposeful, dynamic and energetic, it was a typical Fermin performance. Two more assists simply underscored how important he is for this team, though a 65th-minute exit was perhaps unfortunate.
Ferran’s movement was sharp and intelligent, and it may have escaped the notice of many just how many times he drew defenders away from the area to allow Rashford and Lamine to move inside and create chances.
Not quite a statement performance from ‘The Shark,’ but decent enough nonetheless.
Frenkie de Jong certainly deserves a mention too. The Dutchman remains the conduit through which the majority of Barca’s play evolves.
Whether as a supplementary attacker or getting back to help his back four, the Catalans are certainly a poorer outfit without De Jong in it.
With no Pedri to conduct the blaugrana orchestra, Hansi Flick should be satisfied with the three points and enough in the collective performance to be pleased with, notwithstanding that there are clear areas that need to be improved over the coming weeks.
