Many regards to the good Julián Quiñones: the hot notes of the Barça-Feyenoord

BarcelonaA goal fest to start the Champions League with a smile (5-1). Barça swept past Feyenoord with a performance in line with the formidable start to the season they are having. Below, some quick notes.

A better forward line. Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have left, Gordon, Adeyemi, and Gabriel Jesus have arrived, and Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have stayed. There are five players (with the permission of the injured Bardghji and the Egyptian Abdelkarim) for three spots with two clear tasks: to cover the 40 goals provided by those who have left and to mitigate the obsession with Julián Álvarez. For now, the offensive numbers speak for themselves. Goals are falling in buckets and this, even though we are in September, diagnoses a job well done. Amidst the favorable wind, Adeyemi debuted with a dream strike. The German, a surprising bet, seeks redemption at the Camp Nou. Here's to many more mortal investments, Karim! The squad depth was exactly this.

Julián Quiñones, you. Nothing against this Mexican who plays in Saudi Arabia, classified among the 30 finalists for the Ballon d'Or. Surely he is a fantastic attacker. But that he appears in the ranking from which the best player of last season is chosen and not Pedri or Raphinha is quite shocking. The absence of the Brazilian is particularly striking, having started the season like a thunderbolt, eager to prove himself after a year more affected by injuries than by a drop in performance. Against Feyenoord, two more goals (the first in the purest Rivaldo style, making two defenders fall to the ground with a star move) and a new exhibition of off-the-ball movements. How he knows that no one will give him anything...

An advanced student. It looks like the heart of this Barça defense will be Cubarsí and someone else. The one from Estanyol, who is indeed among the 30 candidates for the Ballon d'Or (he will win the award for the best young player of the season), is indisputable. He has a privileged mentality and physique, and if he maintains his stability, he will be a guarantee of success. He is one of those players capable of changing the scenery just with his presence. Among his possible partners, the one with the most potential is Christensen. Notice how much Flick believes in him, as he requested his renewal even after he spent two years practically at zero. The Dane is an expert in the craft and has had to step up regarding defending 40 meters from his own area. He already does it better than Araujo.

An image unworthy of a Champions League candidate. Forgive me for pouring a little cold water on the parade. And never has that been more aptly said. But we are also here for that. With the Camp Nou half-finished and roofless, matches in the rain will continue to be very uncomfortable for everyone. Also for the great promoter of the Barça stadium renovation, Joan Laporta, who had to cover himself first with an umbrella and then with a yellow raincoat. In this context of provisionality, the VIPs also get wet. But, beyond the bad joke, with effects also on the computers and radio equipment of the professionals located in the press box, the image is as unworthy as it is inevitable. It is either this or Montjuïc. And, truthfully, there is no comparison.