Optimism settles in the Camp Nou with an encouraging Barça

BarcelonaIn life, one must have a well-defined personality and defend it. Know who you are. And Barça seems to know it on the pitch and also in the stands. With a backdrop in the form of full of estelades stands in which at times it seemed we had returned to 2017, Hansi Flick's third project is increasing the optimism of the blaugranas, adding points and raising the game. Yesterday he defeated a good Athletic Club 2-0 who sold their skin dearly, and he has already won six out of six. The new players give their all, Rodrigo already wears blaugrana when people recently imagined he would wear white and the youngsters from La Masia are asking to play.

Like those summer loves that are born during holidays but last, Barça seems willing to defend to anyone who will listen that this third season with Flick will go even further. Barcelonismo is living happily, lately. Indignant when they see one of theirs being beaten up in Elx, but happy when they look at the pitch at a hungry team that knows how to play at a high enough pace when August isn't even over yet. And this without the best version of Lamine Yamal, who seems to be saving his best tricks for later.

It doesn't even seem necessary to sign Julian Alvarez, a prisoner in Madrid, watching from a distance as Flick has a lot of offensive cards at his disposal. One of them is Raphinha. Only the fact that he coexists with a talent like Lamine Yamal prevents more talk about the Brazilian, who was plagued by injuries a few months ago. A player who generates consensus among coaches, teammates, and spectators, all in love with his generosity and attitude. Playing as a false nine he led the attack of a Barça in which Gordon debuted as a starter. The Brazilian sets the tone. Whoever doesn't run like him will be exposed to criticism. And he scores. He would be responsible for receiving an assist from Pedri to beat Unai Simón before halftime. If Barça didn't end up thrashing, it was thanks to the world champion goalkeeper, who invented two surprising saves against Lamine Yamal.

Anthony Gordon gradually earned the respect of his new home with an intelligent game, slipping inside to open up the wing for Xavi Espart, who, to celebrate becoming a first-team player, delivered an excellent first half. Whenever a young player from La Masia writes their first pages in the first team, it's a magical moment. Moments that the young player from Vilassar de Mar will never forget, and in which he combined talent and commitment with a defensive line well protected by Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsí. Both, imperial, left few options for the Williams brothers.

The match was always played towards the Basque goal. Joan Garcia watched it all from afar, as if he were still on a terrace on the Costa Brava. But since the second goal wasn't coming, Flick debuted Rodri. And Athletic understood that if they hadn't managed to snatch the ball from Barça when Pedri and Bernal were playing, with the former Manchester City player on the pitch, they had to pray, survive, and see if they would get one. And they would get one, with a shot by Oihan Sancet against the post that almost silenced the stadium in what would have been a very unfair result. Unlike Elche, Barça lacked goals. Only Unai Simón brought emotion to a match in which Barça lacked effectiveness. And since they didn't have it, it had to be a serious defensive error by the visitors that allowed Fermin, until then perhaps one of the most subdued in attack, to score the second. Barça finished the job. They showed what they are like. On the field and in the stands.