I'm happy to see the team scoring goals again and the players looking more confident. After those two defeats, the dressing room needed a night like this. Winning comfortably also gave Hansi Flick the chance to rest some important players before the difficult games ahead.

But I can't help asking the same question: why couldn't we play like this against Real Madrid and PSG?

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Fermín Was My Man of the Match

For me, Fermín López was the best player on the pitch. One goal and two assists tell part of the story, but I also like the energy he brings to the team. He keeps moving, looks for the ball and gets involved in dangerous situations. Flick will have a difficult decision to make when everyone is available again.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal scored twice each. It's always good to see them enjoying their football, especially after a difficult week. Pedri also showed his quality with an excellent pass for the opening goal. When he plays balls like that, you remember just how special he is.

The best thing about scoring so many goals before half-time was that Flick could take off players such as Pedri and Raphinha and save their energy for the next matches.

The Defence Still Worries Me

Six goals scored, but we still conceded one that should have been avoided. Barcelona's defensive problems haven't disappeared just because we won by five goals.

With so many defenders unavailable, Flick had to make changes, and Frenkie de Jong did a good job in defence. Still, the team looked vulnerable at the back. Against Alavés, we could afford to make mistakes. Against Real Madrid or PSG, those same mistakes can decide a match.

That's what frustrates me. We know this team can score goals, but we need to see the same confidence and commitment when the opposition is stronger.

Now Do It When It Matters

I'm not going to pretend that a 6-1 win doesn't feel good. After two defeats, the players and fans needed something positive.

But personally, victories against weaker teams don't excite me nearly as much as beating Real Madrid or PSG. I would have been happy with a draw against Madrid last week, too.

Now we have Atlético Madrid and Aston Villa to think about. These are the games where I want to see what Barcelona are really made of.

Enjoy the six goals, take the confidence from this win, and move on. Just don't let us down in the big games again. 🔵🔴

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After the defeat against PSG, there were explanations. There were injuries, and Hansi Flick reminded everyone that trophies are not won in October. But the Clásico was another important test, and Barcelona failed to show their best football when it mattered.

Losing to Real Madrid is never easy for Barça fans. What makes this defeat more concerning is that some of the problems we saw were not new. Barcelona still struggled when Real found ways around their pressing, and the defensive line was once again exposed.

The Same Defensive Problems Keep Returning

Flick’s system depends on pressing aggressively and winning the ball back quickly. When Barcelona manage to do that, they can control matches and put opponents under constant pressure. But when the first line of pressure is beaten, the spaces behind the defence become a serious problem.

Real Madrid had only around 38% possession, yet they found ways to hurt Barcelona. That is an important reminder that possession alone does not mean control of a match.

The question is not whether Flick should abandon his philosophy. It is whether Barcelona can adapt when their usual approach stops working. Against strong opponents, they need more than one way to defend.

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Real Madrid Knew Where to Attack

Some of the individual statistics also tell an interesting story.

Cucurella recorded 3 tackles and 3 interceptions, showing how important defensive actions can be when dealing with Barcelona’s attacking players.

Lamine Yamal had 76 touches, attempted 9 dribbles and completed 4. However, he created 0 chances, recorded 0.51 expected goals (xG) and 0.06 expected assists (xA). These numbers show that, despite his involvement and attempts to beat opponents, his influence on the final outcome was limited.

Jude Bellingham also made a significant contribution without the ball. He won 13 of his 15 ground duels, made 5 tackles and completed all 3 of his attempted dribbles. His work in these situations helped Real Madrid compete for possession and disrupt Barcelona’s rhythm.

These figures do not explain the entire match on their own, but they highlight an important point: winning individual duels and making the right defensive interventions can be just as decisive as having more of the ball.

Flick Needs to Find a Solution

This defeat does not mean Barcelona’s entire system is broken. Flick has already shown what his approach can achieve when the team presses well, moves the ball quickly and defends as a unit.

But opponents are increasingly aware of the weaknesses that come with Barcelona’s high defensive line. If they can escape the initial pressure, they can attack the space behind it.

Flick needs to find solutions. That could mean adjusting the defensive line in certain situations, improving the protection offered by the midfield or changing the pressing approach when an opponent consistently finds a way through.

Barcelona cannot expect the same plan to work in every match. The best teams adapt, especially when their opponents know what to expect.

The Clásico was another warning that Barcelona need to improve defensively. The challenge now is not simply to return to winning ways, but to make sure the same problems do not keep deciding the biggest matches.

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Barcelona host Real Madrid in the 10th round of La Liga. It will be the first El Clásico of the season, with plenty at stake for both teams.

Barcelona have made a perfect start to their league campaign, winning all nine of their opening matches. They have scored 39 goals and conceded just nine. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have recorded seven wins and two defeats, scoring 23 goals and conceding nine.

The last five meetings between the two sides have produced 4 Barcelona wins and one victory for Real Madrid. However, those results will count for little when the teams meet again.

A Barcelona victory would give them a nine-point lead over their biggest rivals. With an important match against Atlético Madrid coming up soon, winning El Clásico could put Hansi Flick's side in a strong position against both Madrid clubs.

For Real Madrid, the stakes are just as high. A defeat would leave them nine points behind Barcelona, a gap that could prove difficult to close. I expect Mourinho to look for ways to limit Barcelona's strengths and exploit their weaknesses.

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How Could Mourinho Trouble Barcelona?

Mourinho knows Barcelona well, but facing Hansi Flick's side presents a different challenge. I expect Real Madrid to take some inspiration from the way PSG troubled Barcelona in their recent match.

One of Mourinho's main targets could be the space available to Pedri and Rodri. If Madrid manage to put both midfielders under pressure and disrupt their connection, Barcelona may struggle to control the game.

Mourinho could combine that pressure with a compact defensive shape, waiting for the right moment to press aggressively in midfield. The aim would be to force Barcelona into mistakes and then attack quickly after winning the ball.

This is where one of Barcelona's biggest weaknesses comes into play: the space behind their high defensive line. If Madrid beat the first wave of pressure and find Arda Güler or Jude Bellingham in space, they could have a chance to send Kylian Mbappé through on goal.

The Frenchman's pace makes this particularly dangerous. Barcelona's defence will need to stay organised because even a small mistake could allow Mbappé to get behind the backline.

Real Madrid will be without Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio, according to the information available before the match. Those absences limit Mourinho's options, but Güler could still be one of his main attacking weapons.

The Turkish midfielder has created 36 chances and 10 big chances, according to the statistics available before the game. These numbers underline his importance to Madrid's attack.

In my opinion, Barcelona need to pay particular attention to Güler. His recent development has been impressive, and he is becoming an increasingly important part of Madrid's attacking play. If he gets enough time and space, he can find the right pass to Mbappé and cause serious problems for Barcelona.

I would not focus all the attention on Bellingham. Güler needs to be restricted as well, because his passing could be crucial to exploiting the space behind Barcelona's defence.

Rüdiger could also have an important role if he is asked to deal with Raphinha. Two predicted line-ups have listed the Brazilian as Barcelona's centre-forward, although the official team selection has yet to confirm that role. His movement could make the individual battle difficult, especially if he drops deeper or moves into wider areas.

How Should Barcelona Approach the Match?

After the defeat to PSG, Hansi Flick said he would work on fixing some of Barcelona's weaknesses. Hopefully, we will see those improvements in El Clásico.

I do not expect Barcelona to abandon their high defensive line or aggressive pressing. Both are important parts of Flick's approach, but they also carry risks against a team like Real Madrid.

Barcelona have several injury problems. Jules Koundé and Eric García are injured, while Andreas Christensen is also unavailable. Dani Olmo is another important absentee.

With those options missing, Pau Cubarsí and the rest of the defence will need to stay focused and well organised. Real Madrid will not have Vinícius Júnior available because of his suspension, but Mbappé alone is dangerous enough to punish any space left behind the backline.

Barcelona will probably try to press high and win the ball back as quickly as possible. The problem is that if Madrid break through that pressure, the Catalans could be exposed to counter-attacks.

Barcelona's defenders are not among the quickest players in the team. If Madrid find a free player in midfield and quickly release Mbappé, the defensive line could be in trouble. If he features, young Xavi Espart's pace could be useful when tracking back and covering space.

In midfield, the combination of Pedri and Rodri could be very important. Rodri could drop deeper to receive the ball from the defenders and help Barcelona build their attacks. That would allow Pedri to operate further forward and dictate the tempo.

However, this would require a good balance. If too many players push forward, Barcelona could leave large spaces for Madrid to attack on the counter.

Fermín López could also play an important role. His movement and willingness to run into open spaces could help Pedri escape pressure and receive the ball in better positions.

In attack, Lamine Yamal and Fermín playing behind Raphinha could give Barcelona creativity and movement. However, I have some concerns about Anthony Gordon on the left wing.

Gordon did not convince me against PSG. In my opinion, Flick should consider starting Karim Adeyemi instead. He offers more pace and could be more dangerous when attacking the space behind Madrid's defence. That could be particularly useful if Mourinho's team leaves gaps when switching from attack to defence.

On the right, Barcelona can rely on Yamal's speed and ability to beat defenders one-on-one. His duel with Marc Cucurella could be one of the most interesting individual battles in the match.

The two know each other from the Spanish national team, but Yamal's acceleration and dribbling could cause Cucurella serious problems. If the defender struggles to contain him, I would not be surprised to see him pick up a yellow card.

Barcelona have enough quality in attack to hurt Real Madrid. For me, though, the key is finding the right balance between aggressive pressing, possession and protecting the space behind the defence.

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Arda Güler Could Be the Key to the Match

Barcelona must not allow Real Madrid to control the midfield. Limiting Pedri and Rodri would be one of Mourinho's main objectives, so Fermín needs to help Pedri find space and escape the pressure.

Pedri is the architect of Barcelona's game. When he has time and space, he can dictate the tempo and make the right decisions. If Madrid manage to isolate him, Barcelona may be forced to play more directly instead of building attacks in their usual way.

But there is another player Barcelona need to watch closely: Arda Güler.

I do not think the Catalans should focus only on Bellingham. Güler showed how dangerous he can be in Real Madrid's Champions League match against Roma on 14 October 2026.

Madrid were trailing 3-1 when the Turkish midfielder came off the bench in the 59th minute. He then helped the team complete an impressive comeback and win 4-3, providing two assists.

That match is a good example of why Barcelona cannot afford to let Güler play comfortably. He can change a game with one pass, especially when he has a forward like Mbappé ready to attack the space behind the defensive line.

Barcelona need to limit the time and space available to the Turkish midfielder. They must make it difficult for him to play forward and stop him from finding Mbappé behind the defence.

At the same time, Barcelona need to maintain control of the midfield. If Pedri and Rodri can dictate the tempo and the other players help cover the spaces, Madrid will have fewer opportunities to launch dangerous counter-attacks.

Barcelona have the quality to win El Clásico. But in my view, the result will depend on more than their attacking strength. It will also depend on whether Flick can find a solution to the problems that arise when opponents break through his team's high press.

If Barcelona control the midfield, limit Güler's passing options and protect the space behind their defensive line more effectively, they will give themselves a much better chance of winning the first El Clásico of the season.

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​

Here is my take on the whole picture...

Rotating Rodri with Bernal

​This might have been very surprising to the fans, but Flick's decision didn't just come out of nowhere. After speaking with Rodri in the morning, he decided to leave him on the bench, since the brutal schedule with the national team and the league has worn him down, and El Clásico is right around the corner. So 19-year-old Marc Bernal started in Rodri’s place.

​What happened on the pitch? Bernal found himself face-to-face with one of the best midfields in Europe—namely Neves, Vitinha, and Fabián Ruiz. They literally tore our young midfielder apart, but despite the loss, he now has valuable experience against the absolute elite. That will definitely give him more confidence in the games ahead.

​On the flip side, things weren't pretty. The other pillar in our midfield, Pedri, was on the verge of overheating while trying to orchestrate the game. Since Bernal was completely shut down by PSG’s midfielders, Pedri had to drop deep and fight to bring the ball out while trying to thread dangerous passes to Yamal and Gordon. That’s exactly why he was subbed off for Gavi around the 60th minute, to avoid overloading him given the heavy schedule.

​Uncomfortable Truths in the Defensive Line

​Following injuries to Jules Koundé and Eric García, Barcelona arrived in Paris without them. Our back four was made up of João Cancelo, Gerard Martín, Pau Cubarsí, and Xavi Espart.

​Another youngster in the shape of Espart was thrown into the deep end, but for me, he did great against PSG’s fast and technical wingers and even scored a beautiful goal to make it 1-1. Despite his solid performance, he was taken off—likely to protect him physically, as the injuries to Koundé and García have opened up a massive hole at right-back.

​As for the high defensive line—it's painfully obvious that things are still struggling there against Europe’s elite teams. Kvaratskhelia and Doué were running past our defenders almost all night, and maybe only Ousmane Dembélé’s early injury spared us even bigger trouble. At times, the line didn't push up on time, and poor passes under pressure were everywhere.

​But as I wrote in the preview before the match—this wasn't Elche or Rayo Vallecano; it was two-time European champions PSG. It’s time to take something more serious about the defensive line. Against an opponent of this caliber, we need way more pace, synchronization, and to cut individual errors down to a minimum.

​After the match, Flick himself admitted that this was a huge test from which he personally saw the areas to work on moving forward to eliminate as many flaws as possible.

The Positives

​Despite the loss and the mistakes Barcelona kept making, there are quite a few positive things we are bound to highlight.

​First and foremost is the great performance by Xavi Espart. He didn't just fight bravely against PSG’s fast wingers, but also scored our first goal of the match after a brilliant combination.

​Lamine Yamal was also on a very good level. He scored Barça’s second goal and constantly tormented PSG’s defense with his signature runs, as little space as they gave him.

​In third place—and perhaps the most important player for us in this match—was goalkeeper Joan García. Right from the first minute, he was put under a relentless firing squad. Even though he conceded four goals in a single game for the first time this season, his performance was fantastic and he saved the team from a much heavier blowout. Joan made a series of crucial saves—some of which were practically 100% goal-scoring chances for PSG.

Win or Loss for PSG?

​There is no way not to praise PSG as well. They played at an exceptionally high level—with fast attacks, killer press, and very few mistakes. The 4-2 result speaks for itself.

​But what lies behind all this happiness for their fans? Manager Luis Enrique said in his post-match press conference that they lost a lot tonight: specifically the early injury to Dembélé, followed by Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia. It’s still unknown how serious these injuries are, but losing three key players in just the third game of a brand-new Champions League campaign is a heavy blow.

​Was all that brutal effort worth it for a victory that isn't all that crucial for points (if not for confidence), only to lose three key players? Especially considering that in Ligue 1, the top five teams are tied on points and PSG won't have the luxury to rest players.

​Barcelona also paid a price with Dani Olmo’s injury. We, as fans, just hope all these injuries caused by player overload pass quickly so we can see these stars back on the pitch where they belong.

​In Conclusion

​The loss in Paris hurts, but Hansi Flick chose to save his most vital resources for the ultimate objective—holding onto our lead in La Liga and the upcoming El Clásico this Sunday. In this new Champions League format, trophies aren't won in October. Sometimes you have to step back in one battle to win the entire war come spring.

​💬 What do you think? Did Flick make the right call saving Rodri for Real Madrid, or should Barcelona have gone all-out against PSG? Looking forward to reading your thoughts in the comments!

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Form of the teams

The Parisians have been less convincing in the league than Barcelona. From 7 games they have 4 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss and 14 points, with 4 other teams on the same number of points. In the Champions League they have 2 games and 2 wins. At home against Slovan Bratislava, PSG won 6-1. The second game, away at Man City, they won 4-2. Luis Enrique went with a 4-3-3 in both games, his preferred shape and the one he builds the team around.

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Barça, on the other hand, are perfect so far in La Liga and the Champions League. In the league: 9 games, 9 wins. In the UCL: 2 games, 2 wins: 5-1 against Feyenoord, and away at Galatasaray they took the three points with a 4-1. Flick plays 4-3-3 in the UCL, while in the league he plays 4-2-3-1. Average possession is 68%, with around 22 shots per game.

Tonight we will see which 4-3-3 is better: the one from Barça's former manager Luis Enrique, or the one from the current manager, Flick.

Injuries and likely replacements

Both managers have injured players in their squads, but at first glance Flick's problems are more serious. L. Enrique will not be able to count on Nuno Mendes, Senny Mayulu and M. Akliouche. In Nuno Mendes' place he will go with Lucas Hernández, who has played well in the last 2 games.

For Flick, though, things are harder: the right flank is a weak spot and Cancelo, who normally plays left-back, will most likely line up there. The injuries to E. García and J. Koundé make these rotations difficult.

Against the dangerous Doué from PSG, I hope Cancelo is a good choice. For now it is the team's weakest point. We saw how it went against R. Leão of Galatasaray, who beat E. García for pace most of the time. And in the last game against Betis, Ez Abde was again faster than our right-back.

L. Enrique knows Barcelona well as a team and can make a change on the fly, for example swapping Doué and Kvaratskhelia during the game.

Defence and key duels

Both teams play with high possession and heavy pressing after losing the ball. This game will be a real test for Barcelona. Yes, it's true — we have 11 games and 48 goals in total. Against Racing Santander we improved the La Liga record, and the club's, with an xG of 6.74, but those numbers aren't much use when the two-time UCL winners PSG come at you.

In defence, Barcelona will most likely have Xavi Espart, against Doué, and that will be one of the big clashes, along with Kvaratskhelia against Cancelo. If we compare the players' speed — Xavi Espart is at 33.61 km/h and Doué at 32.94 km/h. On the other flank, Kvaratskhelia is at 31.91 km/h and Cancelo at 33.08 km/h. If that holds, Barça have a chance to stop PSG's flank attacks with faster players.

At the other end of the pitch, Gordon will face A. Hakimi, who is slightly faster than him. On the wing, though, our hope is Yamal. Lucas Hernández will take on the job of stopping the fast and skilful Yamal, who is 2.4 km/h faster. In this duel, if Hernández gets a yellow card, things will change a lot in Yamal's favour.

The battle in the middle

The battle in the middle will be one of the deciding factors — on Barça's side the world champions Pedri, Rodri and Fermín, against the two-time UCL winners and the conductors of PSG's midfield: Neves, Vitinha and F. Ruiz.

In the game, Pedri will control play for Barça, while Rodri will be in the centre, helping the defence and shaping the attack. For PSG, the incredible Vitinha is a fast player who sets the tempo of the team, constantly spreading the play from left to right.

Scenario

In the first 20 minutes PSG will apply heavy pressure, and Barça will try to control the game with their average possession of 68%. If Barça lose the ball, PSG will use their quick midfield to switch the flank or play a pass to the fast Dembélé.

A problem for Barça could be aggressive pressing after losing the ball, which together with the high defensive line leaves space for players like Dembélé and Doué.

Conclusion

Given Barcelona's current form, against PSG — two-time winners of the Champions League, with the football they use to crush European giants — for me this is a game worthy of a final.

I wish Barcelona and all the fans success.

Visca Barcelona 🔵🔴

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But despite the great result, I still have concerns. Scoring five goals is one thing. Being ready to face PSG, the European champions, is another.

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Yamal Was Brilliant Again

Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a stunning strike. What a goal! Moments like this remind us just how special he is. He also provided an assist for Gabriel Jesus, making him one of the standout players of the match.

Rodri, Jesus, Eric García and Dani Olmo also got on the scoresheet. It was a great night for Barça's attack, and there was plenty for the fans to enjoy.

I also liked the team's reaction when things became difficult. Betis were not afraid of Barcelona. They played with courage and kept pushing forward. Even when the score reached 3-2, Barça did not panic. The players stayed focused, and they did not lose their heads when Betis had a goal ruled out before half-time.

That is the kind of character we need from a team with ambitions of winning trophies.

The Right-Back Problem Is Still There

This is the issue I cannot ignore.

For the second game in a row, an opponent's dangerous left winger has caused serious problems on Barcelona's right side. Against Galatasaray, I was concerned about the threat posed by Rafael Leão. This time, it was Abde Ezzalzouli who gave Jules Koundé a difficult evening.

Abde used his pace to get past Koundé and caused real trouble. I am not saying Koundé is a bad player, but these situations expose his weaknesses against quick and skilful opponents.

That worries me ahead of the PSG game. Whether Koundé or Eric García plays at right-back, Barcelona need to find a way to deal with this kind of threat. Against a team like PSG, mistakes in these situations can be very costly.

Five Goals Do Not Mean Everything Is Fine

Barcelona have now gone 11 games without a defeat in all competitions. The results have been excellent, and the team is scoring plenty of goals. There are good reasons to be happy.

But I do not think we should assume that everything is working perfectly.

Betis, Feyenoord, Getafe and Racing Santander are not the kind of opponents that can tell us everything about Barcelona's level against Europe's strongest teams. The game against Betis also showed how easily Barça can lose possession at times, allowing the opposition to attack dangerous spaces.

I also want to mention Giovani Lo Celso's goal. It was a fantastic strike from outside the box, but I felt Joan García was not expecting the shot from that distance. That takes nothing away from Lo Celso's finish, but it was another moment worth looking at.

PSG Will Show Us Where Barça Stand

For me, the biggest question before the next game is how Barcelona will deal with PSG's attacks. We cannot rely only on scoring more goals than the opposition.

With a high defensive line and the ongoing concerns at right-back, Barça must be careful. I believe they need to stop PSG's attacks before they really get going, especially in midfield. They cannot allow their opponents to turn, look up and run into open space.

If Barcelona give players like Désiré Doué too much room to attack, things could get very difficult.

The 5-2 win is a reason to celebrate. Yamal was outstanding, the team showed character, and the attack delivered once again. But the real test is coming.

I want to see not only a Barcelona team that can score five goals, but one that knows how to stop a top-level opponent. Then we will have a much clearer idea of what this team can achieve.

Visca el Barça! 🔵🔴

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One mistake, one response

Barcelona began by controlling possession and looking for openings through the wings and the middle. Yet Galatasaray showed how dangerous a quick transition can be against a team that commits players forward.

In the 28th minute, Rafael Leão used his pace to attack the space behind Barcelona’s defence before setting up Aleksey Batrakov, who put the hosts ahead. Galatasaray even had another goal ruled out for offside, giving Barcelona an additional warning.

The equaliser arrived in the 43rd minute. Dani Olmo helped create the opportunity, and João Cancelo finished to make it 1-1 before half-time. That goal was important not only for the score but also for the timing: Barcelona could start the second half with renewed confidence.

Barcelona took control after the break

The second half was a different story. Fermín López scored in the 50th minute, Anthony Gordon added another just three minutes later, and Karim Adeyemi completed the scoring in the 65th. Lamine Yamal was instrumental, providing assists for Fermín and Gordon.

Barcelona’s passing and possession gradually took the game away from Galatasaray. The home side struggled to regain control, while Barça looked increasingly comfortable dictating the tempo.

One detail that caught my attention was seeing Galatasaray supporters begin leaving around the 80th minute. Turkish fans are known for their passion, which made the scene striking. By then, Barcelona’s control was so strong that a comeback from the hosts seemed increasingly unlikely.

For me, this was one of the most impressive aspects of the performance. Barcelona were not simply creating chances; they were making it difficult for Galatasaray to get back into the game.

Two tactical decisions worth discussing

Flick deserves credit for how his team responded after half-time, but I still have reservations about starting Dani Olmo as a central striker. Olmo has many qualities, yet I do not believe that position is the best use of his abilities. Gabriel Jesus came on later, and I would have liked to see whether he could have offered a more natural presence up front from the beginning.

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk also made an interesting decision with Barış Alper Yılmaz, a player better known for his attacking qualities, deployed in a defensive role. It looked like an attempt to deal with Gordon’s pace. It was a reminder that both coaches were looking for tactical solutions, even if Barcelona ultimately found the answers on the pitch.

There is still a defensive concern for Barça, though. Leão’s pace caused problems in the opening stages, particularly when he had space to attack. Barcelona improved as the match progressed, and Jules Koundé’s introduction was part of the defensive changes, but stronger opponents may be able to exploit similar spaces.

A great result, but not a perfect performance

Barcelona’s second half was excellent, and coming from behind to win 4-1 away in Istanbul is a statement. Still, the early defensive problems and the choice of Olmo as a central striker leave room for discussion.

Do you think Barcelona’s defensive weaknesses could become a serious problem against stronger opponents, or does this comeback show that Flick’s team has enough quality to overcome them?

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Galatasaray, for their part, enter the match needing points. The 3-1 loss to Sporting in the opening round left a bitter taste, and their domestic form has not been flawless either. Yet Okan Buruk refused to accept the role of an underdog that only sits deep. “We will not just defend. We will attack as well,” he said. Motivation at home in the Champions League, according to him, rises on its own.

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Barcelona travel without Raphinha, who was also missing against Getafe. The difference is that Galatasaray are not Getafe. The Turkish champions have more dangerous players in advanced positions and a far more aggressive environment. Still, Flick repeated that he would be happy with a 1-0 win. The goal is not a goal-fest — it is three points.

Tactically, Barça continue to rely on a high press and a 4-3-3 with high possession. They are expected once again to build attacks with a high volume of passes, look to control the game, and use stolen balls for quick transitions down the flanks. Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon should be the main threats there. Jules Koundé will have a special assignment — stopping Rafa Leão, one of the fastest players on the pitch. If Osimhen starts, Cubarsí and Eric García will need to be extremely well organised in central defence.

The hosts’ weak point in recent weeks appears to be the goalkeeper. If Barcelona create enough chances, that line could prove decisive.

The match will be decided less by emotion and more by which side executes its plan better. Buruk wants aggression and points. Flick wants control and three points before the trip to PSG. When desire is equal, the more organised team usually prevails. Right now, that team is Barcelona.

The expected scenario is control from the visitors, patience in the build-up, and enough sharpness on the wings to secure a win. The atmosphere will be hellish. The question is whether Barça will let the noise get inside their heads, or whether they will simply do their job the way they have done it all season.

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10.10 vs Getafe (Home)

13.10 vs Galatasaray (Away — Champions League)

17.10 vs Real Betis (Away)

20.10 vs PSG (Away — Champions League)

25.10 vs Real Madrid (Home — El Clásico)

31.10 vs Alavés (Home)

Before each of these clashes I'll publish a detailed tactical preview, and after the most important European and Spanish nights — a post-match analysis too. Subscribe to follow the breakdowns throughout the month.

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Barcelona vs. Getafe: Preview

The two sides have met 46 times so far, and the record is clear: 32 wins for Barcelona, 10 draws, and 4 wins for Getafe. Strikingly, Barça haven't lost a single home match against this opponent. Across those meetings Barça have scored 98 goals — the question is whether Saturday brings the landmark 100th?

1. Control of the Ball

Barcelona rank #1 in La Liga with 602 accurate passes per game and the league's highest possession at 68%.

Getafe sit 20th, with just 238 accurate passes.

Tactical takeaway: Barcelona will have total control of the ball and a clear territorial edge in this match. Play will unfold almost entirely in Getafe's half.

2. Getafe's Hidden Weapon: The Air and the Flanks

Getafe will lean heavily on crosses, as they have all season. They average 4.1 accurate crosses per game (8th in La Liga), compared to Barcelona's 3.4 (12th).

Combined with their high aerial duel win rate (54.4%), Getafe will look for quick flank attacks and crosses at every opportunity.

Tactical takeaway: Barcelona's defense needs to stay highly disciplined in covering the fullbacks, and especially alert to winning second balls around and inside their own box.

3. Physical Aggression and Breaking Up the Tempo

Getafe play on the edge of what's allowed. With 14.7 fouls per game (2nd in La Liga), 22 yellow cards, and 3 reds, they lead the league in cautions. Their main goal will be to kill Barça's rhythm, unsettle the young players, and chop the game up with constant fouls.

Tactical takeaway: Composure will be key for the Catalans. Quick one- and two-touch play is the only way Barça can avoid physical battles and break through Getafe's aggression.

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In the summer of 2022, Xavi and Barcelona were in the process of rebuilding, and their target for the right flank was Raphinha, who was playing for Leeds United at the time. Just like Barcelona, Chelsea were also fighting for his signature, and they had nearly closed the transfer deal. Arsenal were also interested. But Raphinha dreamed of Barcelona, the club of one of his idols, Ronaldinho. He turned down Chelsea's offers and made his way to Spain.

Photo by Government of Catalonia via Wikimedia Commons

Barcelona paid €58 million, with bonuses that could push the total up to €68 million. And that's exactly when the doubts began. At the time, Barcelona were already in serious financial trouble, and on top of that they were paying a huge sum for someone most fans didn't yet consider a great player. Raphinha lacked Neymar's dribbling and Vinícius's explosive style. Those comparisons are inevitable when you're a winger at Barcelona. He wasn't that kind of player. In the first months, most people saw him as a weak player who couldn't even dribble. After every poor match, the doubts and the mockery continued. He often started from the bench or was sent out to the left flank, which wasn't his position. Xavi almost always took him off around the 60th minute.

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Raphinha later admitted that the coaching staff didn't trust him, and a clear example of that was the Europa League match against Manchester United, where he scored a goal and provided an assist and was among the best players on the pitch.

For many, he was no longer just a bad transfer — he had become an object of ridicule. He finished the 2022/23 season with 10 goals and 12 assists in 50 matches. Those numbers, however, didn't win over the fans.

The second season was even harder. He struggled with injuries while also trying to secure a starting spot. Even so, he finished the season with 10 goals and 11 assists. In the Champions League, he even scored twice in the first leg of the quarter-final against PSG and once in the second leg — but it wasn't enough to step out of the shadow.

By the end of the season, Barcelona needed to sell players, and it looked like Raphinha's time at the club was coming to an end. Big offers were coming in from Saudi Arabia, and fans were hoping for a transfer, with the money going toward signing Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao. Some fans had even made shirts with Raphinha's number and Nico Williams's name on them. While everyone debated who would take his place, no one was thinking about what would happen if Raphinha were finally used correctly on the pitch.

And that's exactly what happened once Hansi Flick arrived. Flick showed him that he believed in him and wanted him to stay at the club. The trust the coach placed in him convinced Raphinha to stay and keep going. That's when his career changed. Flick positioned Raphinha on the left flank without restricting him, letting him move more freely around the pitch. Now Raphinha was expected to show positional intelligence, shooting power, the ability to assist, and intense pressing — which fit perfectly into Flick's system.

So the player that nobody wanted at the club a year earlier, who once played in fear of being substituted in the 60th minute, became Flick's most trusted figure.

In his first season under Flick, Raphinha played 57 matches, scored 34 goals, and provided 22 assists. In the Champions League, he scored 13 goals in 14 matches and finished as the tournament's top scorer.

In August 2024, his teammates elected him captain — even though he was neither a La Masia product nor Catalan. That made Raphinha the first Brazilian in the club's history to wear the armband.

During the 2025/26 season, he battled muscle injuries and still managed to play 33 matches, scoring 21 goals and providing 7 assists. But the real truth became clear whenever Raphinha wasn't on the pitch — that's when Barcelona's attack lost its aggression and its dominance in the key matches.

The 2026/27 season has started very strongly for Raphinha. With no recognized center-forward available, Flick has pushed him up as the focal point of the attack, and so far he has 8 matches across all competitions, with 14 goals and 3 assists. With this explosive start, Raphinha has shown that he's not a player to be underestimated — but one to be restructured and set free on the pitch.

Number 11 - Just Raphinha

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Raphinha scored a hat-trick (two penalties and one from open play), putting him top of the La Liga scoring charts with nine goals. He didn't just finish chances — he kept finding space between the lines and causing problems for Racing's defense. When he came off in the 69th minute, the crowd sent him off with a proper ovation.

Alongside him, Karim Adeyemi had a strong game — 21 attacks went through his side of the pitch, a sign that Barcelona kept finding an advantage there and Racing had no answer. The final goal came from exactly that area, when Adeyemi drove forward and set up Yamal for 7-2.

The problems, again, came from the other end. The goal that made it 2-1 in the 30th minute came from a poorly judged defensive moment — the usual issue when Flick's high line gets stretched. Later, at 4-1, Joan García went off injured and Szczesny came on.

Twenty minutes later the Polish keeper made a bad error with the ball at his feet and it was 4-2. In a match where Barcelona recorded 6.65 xG to Racing's 1.86, those two goals never needed to happen.

Lamine Yamal went through a mix of emotions during the match. He missed a penalty just before half-time and didn't hide his frustration. A minute later he picked up a yellow card for a rough challenge. Later still, a goal was ruled out for offside. When he finally scored the team's seventh, his reaction said enough — at his age, that kind of response makes sense.

The numbers show Barcelona in complete control: 69% possession, 30 shots (9 on target), 18 corners, and 588 accurate passes out of 644. Gabriel Jesus came off the bench and scored within ten minutes.

Alejandro Balde made his first appearance of the season. On the surface, an easy game.

The question stays the same, though: how long can Barcelona keep giving away goals from situations they create themselves? Against Racing Santander it didn't matter. Against better opposition, it could cost them points.

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The hosts, on the other hand, from 4 matches have 1 win, 2 draws and 1 loss and are in 13th place. So far in history, the two teams have met 47 times in all competitions. In these matches, Barcelona has 34 wins, Levante has won 6 times and 7 draws. Lets look at the statistics and numbers through these years and these 47 matches.

1. In the 5th week of the championship, they met once where Levante was the host and won 5 to 1 in the 64/65 season.

2. On the 13th of may, in 2018 they met, where again as a host Levante won 5 - 4. We remember this 5 - 4 match for Levante, it was a very dramatic and nervous match.

3. Another interesting thing that the statistics show is that all 6 wins of Levante have been when the team was the host.

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Today should we expect a surprise from Levante's side? But today this is not the same Barcelona as in '64 nor in 2018. The only worry we've always had is that after a Champions League match it has always been hard for big teams to win even against mid-table teams, just like Liverpool and Chelsea did this week. Or like it happened before in Champions League to Real Madrid... and Atletico Madrid.

We wish success to the Blaugrana later today and expect them to make us happy with another win.

My prediction for the match is 1-3... since it's the 13th ... it's about time it worked in Barcelona's favor

Going into today’s match, Barcelona are the clear favorites. Looking at their current form, Feyenoord have picked up 3 wins and 2 draws in their league matches, whereas Barcelona have played 4 games, won all 4, and scored plenty of goals along the way.

As expected, Barca will likely line up with the same squad they used against Valencia. Joan Garcia in goal; in defense, Kounde (who came on as a sub due to Eric Garcia’s injury and is serving a red card suspension—though he should be available depending on rotation, but let’s stick to your notes), Pau Cubarsi in the center alongside Christensen most likely, and Xavi Espart at left-back. In midfield, Pedri and Rodrigo, with Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, and Anthony Gordon just ahead of them. Up top, captain Raphinha will lead the attack, as he’s been in incredible form across these first 4 La Liga games.

Feyenoord’s coach is Giovanni van Bronckhorst, a former Barca player, but we’ll see if that helps him set up his team to deal with Hansi Flick’s attacking machine. On the flip side, Flick has kicked off the season brilliantly; his boys are super well-organized, conceding just 2 goals while bagging 17 in 4 games. Their stats show a heavily optimized team averaging over 600 passes per match, an expected goals (xG) figure of around 4 per game, and 15-20 shots.

Feyenoord will probably roll with a 4-3-3, while Barcelona stick to Flick’s favorite and well-oiled 4-2-3-1. Kounde and Cubarsi need to keep a close eye on their left winger, Luciano Valente, who has already netted 3 goals in 5 league games. Apart from Valente, they’ve got another real danger man in midfield—Gjivai Zechiel. Fermin Lopez, Pedri, and Rodrigo will need to work together to shut him down and disrupt their build-up play. Even though he’s a midfielder, Gjivai has racked up 3 assists and 4 goals in his last 5 games.

At first glance, the opponent isn’t the absolute toughest out there, but anything can happen if you take them lightly. We know how past Barca teams used to just pass the ball around endlessly without much to show for it when trailing. But the manager has changed a lot of things over time, and I like this side much more now—even if they fall behind, the chances of them turning it around and taking the lead are pretty high.

It’s the first Champions League game, and I’m expecting a high-scoring win to kick things off, along with a top-notch performance from Yamal and Gordon on the wings.

My prediction for this match is a Barcelona win with over 2.5 goals total.

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In a La Liga Matchday 4 fixture, Valencia host the 2025/26 season champions, Barcelona, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia. The hosts are on a poor run of matches without points against Barcelona, aside from just a single victory at the end of last season with a score of 3 to 1, which was of no consequence to the visitors today.

In this match, Valencia are expected to line up in a 5-3-2 formation, while Barcelona will, as always, use a 4-2-3-1. This game will be very difficult for Valencia since it is still at the very beginning of the season, and Barcelona need to accumulate points. Furthermore, after Real Madrid lost their match against Betis, and the other Madrid team also lost to Athletic Bilbao, this is a great chance for Barcelona to pull ahead with points early in the season. On the other hand, looking at the last 10 head-to-head meetings, Barcelona have taken 8 wins to just 1 for Valencia, with the hosts conceding 32 goals and scoring only 9, so I expect to see goals.

Barcelona will maintain control of the match, just like in their previous 3 games, with over 60% possession. Expected goals are close to 4 per match so far. Once again, there will be an abundance of passes and control of the game in every part of the pitch. Captain Raphinha will once again lead the attack, and this position seems to have suited him better than the left wing, having scored 5 goals and provided 1 assist in 3 matches. Goalkeeper Eric Garcia—I did not expect him to concede 2 goals against Rayo Vallecano, but I hope this match ends with a clean sheet.

It is still unclear who Pedri will partner with in midfield at the start, whether it will be Rodri or Marc Bernal, but that is not a problem; most likely both will play. It is still hard to say who will play on the left wing—Gordon or Adeyemi—or if Adeyemi will be the substitute for Lamine Yamal on the right, while the Belgian Bisseck will slot in for Anthony Gordon.

My prediction for the match is over 2.5 goals.

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Tonight, Barcelona hosts Athletic Bilbao at Spotify Camp Nou in their first home match of the season. Looking at the team setups, Barcelona lines up in Hansi Flick’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Compared to the previous match against Elche, there are a few small changes to the starting XI and positioning. In midfield, Pedri replaces Gavi. Gavi picked up an injury, leaving fans concerned as he simply hasn’t been able to catch a break from injuries lately. However, despite it being another knee issue, he is expected to return to training in September.

With the shift in midfield, the manager has also adjusted the attack. Against Elche, Raphinha played upfront as a striker, and while he scored twice, I personally believe his best position is out wide on the wing.

Tonight, Gordon takes over at the top of the attack, allowing Raphinha to move back to his natural role on the left wing.

I expect a great match, especially with Unai Simón in goal for the Basques—he was one of Spain’s standout heroes at the World Cup, conceding just a single goal across the entire tournament.

While most pundits expect Barcelona to field the same lineup as against Elche (minus the injured Gavi), I believe Anthony Gordon starts upfront this time, especially after he explicitly stated that playing as a central striker for Barcelona is no problem for him.

With Pedri in the middle, Barcelona will control the midfield extremely well, and I expect plenty of attacks down the flanks—unless Lamine Yamal wakes up a bit and injects some speed and creativity into his game, because against Elche I honestly saw neither Lamine nor Yamal :)

We are in for an entertaining clash. Matches between these two teams are always a great watch, regardless of any crises or tough spells either club has faced over the years.

I’ll take a shot and drop a prediction: 3-0 for Barcelona.

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During the first half of the match, Barcelona somewhat looked to me like they were not in their best condition following inaccurate passes and losing the ball in the middle of the pitch. I was a bit worried about Gavi. When he has the ball, he plays well, but when he is in a role to defend and win the ball back, he plays on the edge of getting a yellow card. Maybe he is not fully ready after his injuries last season, and now he picked up another minor knee issue. Pedri replaced him at the end of the first half.

From Lamine Yamal, after the rest he was given following the World Cup, I expected to see more in terms of gameplay. Overall, he didn’t show much, having only 2 dribbles. In the second half, after Pedri was in the game in the middle of the pitch, things changed for the better. Anthony Gordon played his first official match and performed quite well with 2 assists.

Despite the good performance of the available squad, Barcelona still needs a central-striker, a role that was taken up by captain Raphinha in this match, though it’s clear this is not his exact position. I don’t know if the option with Álvarez from Atlético Madrid will work out, but the rumor that surfaced some time ago about Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray is a good option.

And so, if Elche was an easy start, the next match is against Athletic Bilbao. An opponent that has not always been so convenient for Barcelona...

Elche open their season at home against Barcelona, coming off a draw with Deportivo La Coruña where they held 61% possession but couldn't find a way through. Now they face a Barça side that strengthened significantly over the summer.

Flick's team will control the ball, as usual. The new signings still need to earn their place — but the La Masia core alone looks sharp enough to carry this one. Yamal and Raphinha should start, with Abdelkarim leading the line.

At his press conference, Flick said the team wants to start the season with a win and made clear he isn't taking Elche lightly. He pointed out how quickly they move the ball, especially at home, where he considers them a genuinely dangerous side.

None of the summer arrivals appear in the starting eleven Flick has settled on so far, which points to second-half cameos rather than starts. Less time to make a case for themselves, but that's the price of joining a team this deep.

Еxpect Barcelona in their usual 4-2-3-1, with Elche likely sitting in a compact 5-4-1 to limit the damage.

Elche should get at least one past this defense — they're not toothless at home — but it won't be enough to change the outcome.

Prediction: 1-2 Barcelona.

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Photo by Bryan Berlin via Wikimedia Common

Back in mid-21/22 when he arrived from City, he needed time to adjust. He still managed 26 matches across all competitions, putting up 7 goals and 6 assists. Not bad, but just a preview.

Then came those next two full seasons (22/23 and 23/24). Ferran played like a textbook winger—hanging out wide, coming deep for the ball, trying to build attacks. The numbers back that up: in 22/23 he racked up 45 matches (1,910 mins), completed 553 passes at 81.4%, and whipped in 24 accurate crosses, finishing with 7 goals and 3 assists.

The following year (23/24), he bumped that to 11 goals and 3 assists in 42 games, making 557 passes and 26 line-breaking passes (ALB).

Good? Sure. But he was spreading himself too thin.

The real shift wasn’t technical—it was mental. Ferran was one of the few players at the club brave enough to admit he was working with a sports psychologist to turn the fan noise into fuel. He embraced “El Tiburón” (The Shark) and slashed his entire tactical approach. No more wasting gas on the touchline. He locked himself in the penalty box as a pure predator.

Look at 24/25. His crosses collapsed from 24 down to literally 3 all year. Total passes dropped to 398. But his efficiency in front of goal completely blew up: 19 goals and 7 assists in barely 1,930 minutes, earning a 7.09 rating. He backed it up this past 25/26 season with another 21 goals in 49 appearances (2,708 mins).

That leaves him with 65 goals and over 22 assists for his entire Barça stay.

Did he improve? Massively. Was it enough for Barça or the manager who clearly wanted more? Apparently not. But Luis Enrique—who knows a thing or two about Barcelona—saw that exact potential and snapped him up for Paris.

Personally? My expectations were higher. Look, nobody is touching Messi. But I legit expected Ferran to hit a level closer to Suárez or Lewandowski.

Either way, thank you for everything, El Tiburón!

📊 Reader Poll:

How would you rate Ferran’s overall spell at Barcelona from 1 to 10?

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1. Fermín López

Missed the World Cup through injury. He now needs to show that he has fully recovered from surgery and that Hansi Flick can trust him with a spot in the starting eleven.

2. Andreas Christensen

Despite signing a new contract until 2028, injuries have restricted him to playing just over 40% of matches. He faces tough competition, and there are even rumors he could leave at the end of the season. In my view, he isn’t a guaranteed starter for top games, but rather a solid option to rotate into the starting lineup for easier La Liga matches.

3. Alejandro Balde

The left-back’s spot in the team looks less certain following the arrival of João Cancelo, meaning he will have to prove his worth to Flick. While Cancelo is clearly a quality player, Balde shouldn’t be overlooked given his youth and potential.

4. Karim Adeyemi

The new signing proved himself at Dortmund, but things are different here under Flick. With his quick pace, whether playing as a winger or a false nine, he needs to earn the manager’s trust. His main advantage right now is that he’s already training with the squad while others rest after the World Cup.

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5. Ronald Araújo

A captain bound to the club until 2031, Araújo faces perhaps the toughest battle of all. A calf injury forced him to miss the World Cup, and while he was recovering, Pau Cubarsí stepped up significantly for both Barcelona and his national team. Eric García is also in great form. If I had to choose between Araújo and Eric García, I’d pick Araújo for his physical strength, pace, and the respect he commands from opponents.

On July 31, Barcelona face Birmingham in a friendly match in England, where these players are expected to feature having traveled with the squad. The game will also showcase several Barcelona Atlètic prospects. If they impress, they stand a good chance of remaining with the first team—even if starting on the bench—hoping for minutes to prove themselves.

Conclusion If everything goes according to plan and the team avoids major injuries, the starting lineup will likely look like this:

• Goalkeeper: Joan García (with Wojciech Szczęsny as a reliable backup option).

• Defense: João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, and Jules Koundé.

• Midfield: Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha in the center, and Pedri.

• Attack: Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon, and Lamine Yamal.

On paper, this is a strong lineup with interesting tactical flexibility. We could easily see Gordon shift to the left wing with Adeyemi playing through the middle as a striker. Another variation is Raphinha dropping deeper into midfield alongside Frenkie, who can also drift out wide to the left.

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Total Control on the Pitch

From the very first whistle, La Roja completely dictated the tempo of the game. Spain dominated possession with a staggering 65%, orchestrating an incredible 853 passes compared to Argentina’s 464. The tactical and offensive pressure was relentless: Spain fired 20 total shots—12 of them testing the target—generating an expected goals (xG) metric of 2.29. In stark contrast, a deeply pressed and defending Argentina managed just 2 shots all night and an xG of 0.22.

Despite the overwhelming onslaught, Argentina’s goalkeeper put on a performance of a lifetime, single-handedly keeping his team in the match with 11 remarkable saves. The disciplinary contrast was just as striking; a frustrated Argentina picked up 6 yellow cards and a red card, while Spain played a pristine, flawless game with zero bookings.

The heroic Argentine resistance finally cracked deep into extra time. In the 106th minute, Ferran Torres delivered the decisive, heart-stopping blow, slotting home to secure the trophy after a grueling battle.

Record-Breaking Glory

Spain’s path to the crown across their 8 matches—netting 13 goals total—was decorated with personal and historical milestones that rewrote the record books:

• Mikel Oyarzabal’s Scoring Feat: Netting 5 goals throughout the tournament, Oyarzabal finished as Spain’s top marksman, officially tying the prestigious national record for most goals at a single World Cup previously held by Emilio Butragueño (1986) and David Villa (2010).

• Pedri’s Midfield Metronome: The midfield engine orchestrated play with unmatched precision, recording 418 accurate passes out of 471 total attempts across the entire tournament.

  

  
  Pedri Photo by Bryan Berlin via Wikimedia Commons

• Unai Simón’s Immortal Clean Sheet: Claiming the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper, Simón recorded 14 saves. More astonishingly, he extended his personal clean-sheet streak to 650 minutes, spanning across matches from the 2022 World Cup. In doing so, he shattered Walter Zenga’s iconic 1990 tournament record of 517 minutes and easily eclipsed Iker Casillas’ previous Spanish benchmark of 476 minutes.

  

  Unai Simon Photo by Biso via Wikimedia Commons

A Crown Well Earned

This final will be etched in memory not just for the dramatic 106th-minute winner, but for the overwhelming statistical brilliance of a Spanish side that left zero doubt. From unbreakable defensive walls to total passing mastery, Spain’s 2026 triumph is an unforgettable masterpiece.

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