Three talking points as Barcelona beat Real Oviedo 3-0 in La Liga | OneFootball

FC Barcelona played a game at the Spotify Camp Nou for the first time in 2026, with Real Oviedo visiting in La Liga. It was a game the Catalan club needed to win to return to the top of the table, following Real Madrid’s victory the previous day.

It did not start well for Flick’s team, which had a below-par first half, but, yet again, the manager’s half-time changes and the squad’s ability to bounce back from seemingly impossible positions were evident in this Barcelona side.

Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal scored the goals, giving Barcelona a comfortable 3–0 win. All things considered, including the rotations, it helped Flick’s team return to the summit of the table and restore their one-point lead over Madrid.

With all this in mind, here are three talking points from Barcelona’s 3–0 win over Real Oviedo in La Liga at Spotify Camp Nou.

1: Rotations galore

Hansi Flick named a much-rotated starting XI on the night, giving some much-needed rest to several regular starters. Both Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde started on the bench, with Joao Cancelo replacing the former and Eric shifting to the right to deputise for the latter.

Pedri’s absence through injury also meant that a midfield spot opened up, which was taken by Marc Casado. The Spaniard played the entire 90 minutes, for what feels like the first time in eternity, and had a very decent game.

The coin-flip decision between Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo fell in the latter’s favour last night, although it is fully expected that the former returns to the starting line-up for the game against Copenhagen. Olmo had a very good game against Oviedo.

Despite having to bring on these rested players in the second half, it is fair to say that Flick managed to give some of his key players partial rest and also come away with a 3–0 win.

2: Lamine Yamal: the showstopper

If last night’s game is not remembered for anything else, it will be remembered for Lamine Yamal’s moment of magic, an incredible acrobatic goal that will make every highlight reel at the end of his career.

The Spaniard was relentless all game, but his moment came around 20 minutes before the final whistle. Dani Olmo received a ball out wide on the left from Marc Casado and produced an outside-of-the-boot pass that flew slightly behind Lamine.

Instead of taking a touch and trying to turn towards the goal, he chose to go for the acrobatic scissor kick, despite the ball hardly having the flight it would normally require, and still managed to slot it into the bottom corner.

Lamine’s stock continues to rise with every passing game. It does not matter if opponents put two or three players on him; he still finds a way to get past his man and put Barcelona in a dangerous position.

3: Excellent game from Eric and Pau Cubarsi

Pau Cubarsi may have had a momentary blunder against Oviedo, but, apart from that, he, alongside Eric Garcia, had a very good game last night. Especially after pairing up in central defence in the second half, the Spanish duo hardly put a foot wrong.

Pau was excellent as the covering defender, anticipating danger and looking much fresher than he has in recent weeks, while Eric, continuing his incredible form so far this season, was imperious both on and off the ball.

The Spaniard continues to look close to unbeatable. He has added a yard of pace to his game, but his real strength is that his brain works faster than anyone else in that back line, something Pep Guardiola alluded to during his Manchester City days.

It is about time Eric is considered one of the key players in Hansi Flick’s team and not merely a fringe option. He has matured into a final central defender and looks like he belongs at this level for now and, hopefully, in the future.