Barca pave the path forward for themselves in blowout win

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The manager has an easier road ahead knowing he can rotate his players and keep everyone fresh

The job isn’t done yet, but Hansi Flick was given a priceless gift from his players in the first leg against Dortmund.

By being ruthless, and putting the tie hopefully out of reach, the manager has the option to rest his most important players with only two days off before they have to turn around and play Leganes on Saturday, followed by a trip to Germany on Tuesday.

Cough cough. That means Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Jules Kounde.

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There’s no reason why they should be starting both of the upcoming matches. Even if Lamine tells you he can manage his minutes, and has even learned that it’s ok to walk from time to time, remember that as the adult in charge, he’s not a machine. He’s just a 17 year-old-kid who’s still learning about how to treat his body.

It’s an absolute joy and a pleasure to watch Barcelona at the moment. But it’s also the business end of the season. Nothing has been won yet. The manager must make the next week count by giving rest to his overextended starters, and trusting that the gifted players on the bench can get the job done.

Because after that, there will be no rest. Not with a potential Champions League semi-final, a Copa del Rey final, and the race to the finish line in La Liga coming up. This season is a unique opportunity to make history in the post Messi era when no one was expecting it.

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All praise should be rightly given to Barca’s front three. What more can you say about Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski that hasn’t already been said?

But one of the most encouraging takeaways from the game for me was the gritty performance of Fermín López. The 10 spot is his to lose going forward, if for no other reason than, with Dani Olmo sidelined, there’s no one else, from that position, who links up better with Lewandowski.

The Leganes game is critical. Barcelona absolutely need the three points. Still, I think Lamine needs to start that one on the bench, and come on as a sub, maybe as soon as half-time even, if needed. Most likely that would mean starting Fermín López in his place, while putting Gavi in the middle. As much as you love to see the return of Ansu Fati, he still needs to work his way back to game fitness.

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By doing that, Lamine can start and help put away Dortmund early on in the second leg of the quarterfinal, and hopefully come off early.

Flick is getting the intensity and work rate from his players that he’s asked for. That’s how they keep producing so much offense, from such good parts of the field.

Lamine may be ok, but you can’t ignore your eyes. He was vociferously asking to be taken off the field. But he shouldn’t have had to ask.

He needs to be protected, and now there is no excuse not to give him the mandatory break he deserves. Barcelona need their superstar to be fresh so he can continuing leading them to across every competition in front of them. And then, after that, they need him healthy and ready for the next season too. The history of Pedri and Gavi can’t repeat if the club has anything to say about it.

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Barcelona is the best team in Europe again, in the eyes of many.

But in the end, they’ll be judged by the trophies they raise.

Hansi Flick, job well done. Your teams marches on. You’ve earned some breathing room. Take advantage of it, and then make the final push to the promised land.

Source: barcablaugranes.com