Three talking points as Barcelona hammer Valencia 6-0 in La Liga | OneFootball

FC Barcelona faced Valencia in La Liga at their temporary home, the Estadi Johan Cruyff. With delays to the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou, the club had to find an alternative, but that did not seem to affect the team on the pitch.

Hansi Flick named a much-rotated XI, with several players missing out, either through injury or technical decisions. However, the group showed excellent chemistry despite having played little football together.

The team against Valencia reflected the depth Barcelona possess this season. The Catalan club created a truckload of chances in the first half but managed to score only one goal. The floodgates then opened in the second 45, as Barcelona put six past their opponents.

It was a game of braces for Flick’s men, with Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, and Lewandowski all finishing with two to their names. The latter two did not start, which made their feats all the more striking.

With all this in mind, here are three talking points from Sempre Barca after Barcelona’s 6-0 win over Valencia at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in La Liga.

1: Fermin Lopez loves Estadi Johan Cruyff

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Barcelona and Hansi Flick have yet to find a definitive answer to their #10 dilemma this season. Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez have both been afforded chances by the German coach, and both have had middling starts.

Against Valencia, Flick went with Fermin and, boy, did the Spaniard step up. Even aside from the two wonderful goals he scored on the night, the midfielder was a constant nuisance with his pressing and intense off-the-ball work.

Incidentally, this was Fermin’s second brace in two games at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. He also scored twice against Como at the same ground in Barcelona’s traditional campaign opener, the Joan Gamper Trophy.

Given the choice, Fermin would make this ground Barcelona’s permanent home. He seems to love playing and scoring here, and should the Getafe game also take place at this stadium, it will be interesting to see how he fares.

2: Promising signs from Rashford and Roony

Hansi Flick took a brave gamble, starting Marcus Rashford and Roony Bardghji on either wing against Valencia, and both players showed promising signs in their time on the pitch.

Roony played only the first 45 minutes, making way for Raphinha, but that is by no means a reflection of his performance. The Swedish right-winger showed good associative play throughout the first half and could earn more opportunities in the near future.

Rashford, on the other hand, finally offered Barcelona a solution to the absence of Alejandro Balde on the left flank. Despite the lack of an overlapping left-back alongside him, the Englishman held the width on his own and stretched the pitch.

It was fitting that the Englishman ended the game with an assist, a beautifully curled ball to the far post that found Raphinha’s outstretched foot. This performance should give him plenty of confidence for the future.

3: The Pau Cubarsi pass

It is sometimes easy to forget that Barcelona’s first-choice centre-back this season is an 18-year-old. Pau Cubarsi has slipped under the radar in the past few months, but last night reminded everyone just how special he is.

Cubarsi started as a left centre-back on the night alongside Eric Garcia and did not put a foot wrong. Defensively, he was solid throughout the game, and, with the ball, he showcased his full repertoire against Valencia.

Barcelona’s first goal came only because of Cubarsi’s incredible vision. With one fizzed pass, he broke two lines of Valencia’s defence, taking several opposition players out of the equation. Ferran’s first-time touch and Fermin’s excellent finish capped the move.

It is time people put some respect on Cubarsi’s name. It is not normal for a teenager to be doing what he is doing for Barcelona, and let us hope he continues to grow and develop as a footballer over the course of the season.