Barca get real to pass Dortmund test
Barcelona have been doubted, questioned and criticised in recent weeks after dropping points in La Liga but were on it again in Germany, inflicting a first home Champions League defeat on Dortmund in three years with a wild win.
It was a fun game, a massive three points and should provide a huge shot in the arm for a Barcelona team that had looked a little unsure of itself recently despite a stellar start to the season.
“We think from game to game and we’ve been very successful so far. It’s clear that the team stands together and is ready to give everything in every game,” said Hansi Flick afterwards. “We’re a bit like a family. The club is doing a lot of things right. We obviously have big goals, but we still have a long way to go.”
Barcelona have now won their last five Champions League matches on the bounce and have scored three or more goals in those games. They sit second in the table and are looking in great shape in Europe’s premier club competition.
Raphinha leading the way in the Champions League
Barcelona missed several chances before Raphinha finally got the visitors up and running with his 17th goal of the season for Flick’s side in all competitions. He has six goals in six matches in this competition, only Robert Lewandowski has more.
Yet Raphinha also has a couple of assists to his name to ensure he is the most productive player in the competition when it comes to goal contributions right now.
Raphinha has now been directly involved in more goals than any other player in the Champions League this season:
◎ 6 games
◉ 6 goals
◉ 2 assists
He becomes the 5th different player with 25 goal involvements across Europe's top five leagues and UEFA competitions this… pic.twitter.com/dRr7UuHwhI
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 11, 2024
The Brazilian certainly seems to love the competition. He also has the most goal involvements in the Champions League in the whole year (with nine goals and three assists) - a stat he shares with Vinicius Jr.
Indeed 17 goals this season are as many as he managed in his previous 67 appearances for the club.
The turnaround in from from the Brazilian this seaosn has been nothing short of staggering and, fortunately for Barca, shows absolutely no sign of stopping.
Ferran the unlikely hero for Barca
Despite all their good work, Barcelona needed a couple of substitutes to help seal the win after giving up a couple of silly goals. Pau Cubarsi’s push hardly warranted a penalty but Serhou Guirassy had been looking for any excuse to go to ground all match and gladly jumped at the chance to fling himself to the floor.
With the game at 1-1, Flick decided to take off Raphinha, Olmo and Lewandowski but saw his side go on to win without their three key attackers. It’s a move that speaks volumes and hopefully stands Barca in good stead for the future.
No-one would have had Ferran Torres down to be the match-winner in Dortmund but that’s exactly what happened. He plundered his first goal after fellow sub Fermin Lopez had a shot saved and was then needed again after Barca had given up another equaliser.
Once again it was Lamine Yamal who provided the inspiration with another gorgeous pass that put Ferran clean through. His first touch wasn’t the greatest, and you couldn’t help but wonder if the chance had gone begging, but he looked up, looked again and then swept the ball home.
Barcelona’s wild celebrations as the goal went in said it all, while Ferran now has four goals in the past three games for Barca. Barca’s self-titled ‘Shark’ may not be a fan favourite but he was certainly the hero in Dortmund.