Hansi Flick was right.

Hansi Flick is a man of his word. At Stamford Bridge, still reeling from the 3-0 defeat, he delivered a positive message to reaffirm confidence in his work: "We'll soon see a different Barça, I can promise you that." And so it was. The victory against Atlético de MadridThe first win against a top team this season is very significant because it reinforces the manager's position and shows the players the way forward. He'd been saying for weeks that by clearing the infirmary of key players, the team's level would rise. From Flick's dejected image after the lackluster victory against Alavés, we went to euphoria in just 72 hours. And who was there to embrace him immediately? Raphinha. His number one ally in pressing, commitment, mentality, and attacking depth. Being able to have him back, along with Pedri's magnificent magic in the starting eleven, means the team suddenly surpasses twenty levels of the video game.

Yes, it seems that Flick's Barça, the real Barça, has started to return. Leaders, with Madrid in crisis and the tables turning: who would have thought it, leaving the Bernabéu on October 26th? Almost a year ago, the 1-2 defeat against Atlético de Madrid marked a turning point that set the upward trend for the rest of the season. It's still too early to draw parallels – we don't have a crystal ball – but now it's easier to be optimistic about facing the upcoming schedule before the Spanish Super Cup with Betis, Villarreal, the Cornellà derby, or, in the Champions League, the do-or-die match against Eintracht Frankfurt. Flick is aware of the morale boost they received after beating Simeone's team, but far from being boastful, he warns: "We can't say this is our best level." In defeat and in victory, he always frames his comments appropriately.

Flick deserves a lot of credit for being in this position after having to manage everything that has happened since the summer, because in the first part of the season there was a risk of falling into the dark side of the Upside Down. Stranger ThingsSince losing an undisputed pillar like Iñigo Martínez and not being offered any alternative, the team has suffered a string of injuries and relapses that could have been avoided due to the ineptitude of some with too much power. It can't be said that Flick has received much help; on the contrary, the worst part is that he's been the victim of own goals. At this point, giving the German full authority and letting him work will be as important as the football itself. "Egos kill success"Flick said in Vallecas. That's it.