Barcelona returned to winning ways in some style on Saturday night in La Liga, cruising to a 6-1 La Liga win over Alaves at Camp Nou in yet another game packed full of goals for the Catalans giants.
Let’s take a look at three talking points from the game.
Flick freshens things up…sort of
Hansi Flick spoke about a lack of freshness being a problem against PSG and Real Madrid and did make changes to his team against Alaves, although his tweaks were mostly due to injuries in defence.
Gerard Martin and Anthony Gordon were both given a breather
but Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Raphinha all started. Gavi and Alejandro Balde might have been hoping for a place in the starting XI but were left disappointed again.
Instead Flick opted for an experimental defence, starting Brian Farinas and Joao Cancelo as his two full-backs, with Frenkie de Jong at center-back alongside Pau Cubarsi. Barca did give up chances but will be frustrated not to have to kept a clean sheet.
Flick did manage to rest some of his key players after a first half that brought four goals. Pedri (who had been booked) was taken off at half-time and replaced by Marc Bernal, with Raphinha and Joao Cancelo going off on the hour for Gabriel Jesus and Balde.
And after scoring his second of the night, even Yamal was taken off on the 70-minute mark with Barca 5-0 up and well aware that bigger tests lie in wait next week against Aston Villa in the Champions League and Atletico Madrid in La LIga.
Job done for De Jong & Farinas
Saturday saw Brian Farinas make his senior debut and enjoy his first minutes of the season. Flick has said for a while he’s wanted to give Farinas minutes and finally started the youngster, although he had to make do with an unfamiliar slot at right-back rather than in central defence.
Yet the 20-year-old certainly didn’t look daunted – as one lovely flick in the first half showed – and enjoyed a comfortable night on the right of the defence.
De Jong was also in the starting XI for the first time this season, and in an unfamiliar position at center-back, but put in a strong shift alongside Pau Cubarsi in the heart of the defence.
In truth the Dutchman wasn’t really tested against Alaves but certainly may be a real option in the heart of the defence amid the current injury problems and with Barcelona well-stocked in midfield.
Goals flow in Flick’s 100th Barca win
Barcelona’s big win over Alaves sees normal service resumed after a couple of tough results against PSG and Real Madrid in the Champions League and La Liga.
Pedri has come in for criticism in recent weeks but was in sublime form against Alaves, while Raphinha looked to be back to his best after injury with two goals. That’s now 15 for the season as La Liga, as many as the entire Alaves team combined.
Fermin Lopez also starred again for Hansi Flick’s side, while Lamine Yamal added to his tally with two great finishes and Anthony Gordon came off the bench to score a good goal with a neat dink.
All in all it was a comfortable win that gets Barcelona back to winning ways, hands Flick his 100th win as Barcelona coach and provides a morale boost ahead of a big week.
