The five goal tradition, Rodri’s debut, League leaders | Three takeaways from Valencia 0-5 Barcelona | OneFootball

Fermin Lopez was all over the field in Barcelona’s 5-0 win over Valencia on Sunday as the Catalans romped off to a fourth straight win in the competition.

Lamine Yamal opened the scoring off a Fermin Lopez assist in just the sixth minute and even doubled the score before the ten-minute mark off the same teammate’s assist. The second goal, however, was denied for a marginal offside.

Fermin then took matters into his own hands and scored Barcelona’s second goal before assisting Raphinha for the team’s third. Dani Olmo then came on to replace him, and continued the carnage with two assists for Pedri and Yamal.

The win from Barcelona could not have been any more comprehensive, and they now sit on a perfect domestic record and are the only Spanish team to currently boast of that record.

Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Valencia 0-5 Barcelona.

Five’s the norm

A team effort from Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The big nights for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have always revolved around five goals, and over the years, it has become almost signatory for the team to put five to declare a result buried.

The Blaugrana have been close to unstoppable so far this season, and it is only deserved that two of their three games heading into last night’s clash had the five-goal mark reached. In fact, only Unai Simon limited the devastation against Athletic Club.

Last night, the Catalans once again put their trademark five goals against Valencia, and the attack is only growing from strength to strength.

Fermin Lopez put in the shift of a lifetime and was Barcelona’s best player by some distance as he pressed, covered ground and created chances like a literal madman.

Added to that, Raphinha made true poacher runs, Lamine Yamal looked at his imperial best and Anthony Gordon was a force to reckon with on the left-flank – all totalling to a comprehensive attacking display.

Truth be told, Barcelona could well have had over eight goals to their name at the Mestalla, but there can be no complaints on the finishing as they have exceeded all pre-season expectations.

Rodri’s perfect debut

The clash against Valencia was all about Rodri making his first start for Barcelona ever since the lineups came out, and it also marked his 100th appearance in La Liga over the years.

Only his performance could make the occasion more special, and the player did exactly so as he delivered a performance that announced his arrival in Catalonia and showcased what he can bring to the table.

While Rodri has been a handful in his cameos so far, the player truly showed his colours on Sunday as he toyed around with Valencia and showed his class in the middle of the park.

With the Spaniard in the centre, the team looked defensively stable and Valencia’s attacks were often cut short at the roots. His composure under pressure was immense and he did not break a sweat in the distribution.

Playing in a deeper midfield role, Rodri single handedly managed Barcelona’s defensive midfield and connected the defence to the attack while also allowing Pedri to venture forward into a more creative role.

What stood out the most, however, was Rodri’s defensive quality. While his physique made him a formidable presence, his ability to win back balls ensured Barcelona dominated the game with minimal chances given away.

If the veteran looks so settled in just his first start, it is frightening to wonder what he can grow into after a few months at the club.

The deserved leaders

Raphina and Yamal are on fire this season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Match day four was a critical week in the context of the league race in Spain, for it was a match day filled with upsets.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both lost their respective games, handing Barcelona a golden chance to go on top of the leaderboard.

Not only did Hansi Flick’s side do so, but they broke down the curse with some style as they dominated and deserved the win thoroughly to keep their perfect record alive.

At this point, Barcelona have won all four of their league games and sit on twelve points. In that duration, they have scored a staggering seventeen goals and conceded just two with three clean sheets to their name.

Every single part of that statistic is absolutely incredible, and it is safe to say that Barcelona are the deserved leaders in Spain early in the title race. Real Madrid sit three points behind while Deportivo Alaves are also close.

The momentum could not be any better heading into the first UEFA Champions League clash of the new season, and Hansi Flick and Co. will look to dominate in Europe the same way that they have been doing in Spain.