Hansi Flick's Barça returns to Fermín's rhythm

Sant Joan DespíBefore summer ends on September 22nd—the start of the autumn equinox—Fermín López wants to continue making headlines. If during the final stretch of the transfer window he was the focus of news due to Chelsea's interest in signing him, with Barça rubbing their hands at the prospect of a lucrative transfer and him ignoring the daisy, against Valencia it was because of his football. Fermín remained silent until the transfer window closed and decided to continue wearing the Blaugrana, which had always been his main desire despite letting the Londoners woo him. Against Valencia, he spoke where he usually does best: on the pitch. And, specifically, at Johan Cruyff's, where he already demonstrated during the Gamper why Hansi Flick was not keen to let him go. Against Valencia, he opened the scoring with a brace in a 6-0 rout that energized the 5,862 fans who didn't completely fill the small (and temporary) Barcelona stadium.

Fermín took the lead in the starting eleven against Dani Olmo, who hasn't started the season as a starter, despite being last season's big signing. And his enthusiasm was contagious during the first 15 minutes, as Barça once again recalled that fresh, exciting, and exotic team of Hansi Flick's first season on the bench. The mobility of Ferran Torres, who has outplayed Robert Lewandowski at the start of the season; The eagerness of Marcus Rashford, who started for the second time since he started for Barça, and the hyperactivity of Fermín in the attacking midfield showed that the team had come onto the pitch eager to bite and dispel the doubts they had shown before the international break. Without Lamine Yamal, a discreet Roony Bardghji made his official debut on the right wing.

Raphinha was absent, having been punished for arriving late to the morning activation training session. Flick whipped out the whip. The German's principles are not questioned. Punctuality is one of them. High pressing, which Barça recovered against Valencia, is another. In fact, one of the most fundamental. The coach had already warned his players to focus on less egos and more on working as a team. And without the team's main star, Barça worked hard and flew on the Johan Cruyff pitch—which has the same dimensions as the Camp Nou (105 meters long by 68 meters wide), although it may not seem that way. The players got to work, and in just 10 minutes, Julen Agirrezabala had his work cut out, deflecting a shot from an extra-motivated Ferran against his former team with his fingertips.

The Basque goalkeeper was helpless when Fermín, the man of the night with permission from Raphinha, who came on at halftime and made himself forgiven, beat him after half an hour. Pau Cubarsí, despite playing on the left wing, threaded a delightful pass, one of those that defines him as a center-back with a privileged gaze and footwork, which Ferran controlled with his first touch, allowing Fermín to open the scoring and let out a cry of joy and rage. The goal was a just reward for what was seen on the pitch: an impeccable Barça in defense against a Valencia that couldn't find any options in attack and was tired of chasing shadows in defense. However, Carlos Corberán's team managed to go into the break just a goal behind.

Doubles from Raphinha and Lewandowski

After the break, Barça came out determined to continue their attack against a Valencia side that saw Barça goals falling like ripe fruit. Two minutes in, Ferran sent a shot unchallenged against the post. A mistake that would soon be forgotten as Raphinha, who replaced Roony at halftime, blasted a superb cross from Rashford into the back of the net. Despite not scoring, Rashford had enjoyed his best minutes as a Barça player. The victory was quickly sealed, with a Fermín save that scored Barça's third, and Agirrezabala's hands were a bit of a butterfingers. The third goal gave Flick a chance to breathe, knowing the work was already done.

The German brought on Lewandowski and Olmo, who would join the party, and the rout ended in a spectacular one. Barça is taking the measure of this Valencia side, against whom they already scored seven goals at Montjuïc last season. The Pole, first assisted by Olmo and then by Marc Bernal, who was returning to the game after almost 400 days of absence, also scored a brace to remind Ferran that starting at center forward will be expensive. Before Lewandowski sealed the rout with his sixth, Raphinha had also scored his second with a trademark powerful shot. Without Lamine Yamal and with several injuries, Hansi Flick's Barça returned.