Many regards to the good Julián Quiñones: the hot takes from the Barça-Feyenoord match

BarcelonaA rout 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 currently 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 permission from 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 finish. 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, really. 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, as he has 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. Since he knows that no one will give him anything...

An advanced student. It looks like the heart of this Barça's 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 undisputed. 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 a scene 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 asked for him to be renewed despite having spent two years practically at zero. The Dane is an expert in the trade and has had to step up his game regarding defending 40 meters from his own area. He already does it better than Araujo.

An undignified image for a Champions League candidate. Forgive me for raining on the parade. And never has that been more aptly put. But that is also what we are here for. With the Camp Nou half-finished and without a roof, matches in the rain will continue to be very uncomfortable for everyone. Including for the great driving force behind 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 undignified as it is inevitable. It is either this or Montjuïc. And, truth be told, there is no comparison.