Three talking points from Barcelona 5-0 Young Boys
A big win for the Catalans
Barcelona bounce back in style
Barcelona bounced back from defeat to Osasuna last time out in some style with a comfortable victory over Young Boys to get their Champions League campaign up and running.
Robert Lewandowski gave Barca the perfect start, opening the scoring after just eight minutes, before two goals in three minutes from Raphinha and Inigo Martinez finished off Young Boys before half-time.
! Start your day with five goals and a @ChampionsLeague win! pic.twitter.com/JEMscF9q0o
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 2, 2024
More goals followed after the break with Pedri running the show and looking a real magician in midfield, Raphinha continuing his brilliant early-season form and Robert Lewandowski adding a double to make it nine this season already.
It was the perfect response to the disappointment of losing to Monaco last time out and stands the team in good stead ahead of their next Champions League encounter against Flick’s former team Bayern.
And, as both Hansi Flick and Raphinha pointed out after the match, it was important to rack up the goals in the new Champions League format, with goal difference potentially set to play a key role.
Inigo’s rise continues at Barcelona
Inigo Martinez has played a key role in Barcelona’s start to the season, as injuries to Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen have handed him a spot in the starting XI alongside Pau Cubarsi.
There may be 16 years between the two players but they have formed a strong partnership in the heart of the defence and that will surely continue - at least until Araujo and Christensen return - at which point it will be interesting to see how Flick lines up his back four.
Inigo is staking a strong claim for a place and enhanced his claims with another clean sheet and his first Barcelona goal. The defender powered home a header from Pedri’s free-kick to make it 3-0 and open his account for the Catalans.
THE FIRST BARÇA GOAL FOR IÑIGO MARTÍNEZ!!!!! pic.twitter.com/AjSp4jprvF
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 1, 2024
An assist followed after half-time too. Martinez managed to stoop and direct a corner in from the right back to Lewandowski to knock home from close range and make it 4-0 to the hosts
The only downside was the sight of Barca’s medical staff deep in discussion with Martinez after he’d been replaced late on. However, the defender played down injury fears after the game which will be a big relief to all at Barca.
Barca fans have missed De Jong & Ansu
Barcelona were also able welcome Frenkie de Jong back from injury against Young Boys, while there were also some rare first-team minutes for Ansu Fati as he continues on the comeback trail.
Both players were given a huge reception by the crowd at Montjuic, with De Jong admitting he was blown away by his standing ovation. The Dutchman has received plenty of negative press during his time at Barca but is still a hugely popular figure at the club.
Standing ovation for Ansu Fati when he came on the pitch for Pedri. pic.twitter.com/bnZEGLySHR
— Laia Cervelló Herrero (@Laia_Cervello) October 1, 2024
So too Ansu, who was made just his second appearance of the season after shrugging off a foot injury. We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for both players, but there’s no doubt the sight of both players on the pitch finished off a great night for Barca.
Source: barcablaugranes.com
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