Take it easy, Raphinha: The hot notes of the Barça-Getafe

BarcelonaBarça has returned in form from the international break and has steamrolled a Getafe side that barely made it past midfield (3-0). The team remains switched on, with an offensive mindset, and is capable of winning even when rotating or missing key injured players. Below, some hot takes.

Raphinha, don't rush. Barça didn't miss Raphinha against Getafe. Not because the Madrid side, who haven't managed to score a single goal at the Camp Nou in their last four visits, were a low-level opponent. It is the Blaugrana who continue to be lethal in attack. The play is choral; they break through the middle, on the wings, and create clear chances and shots. The squad is deep enough and has enough quality to win without the most in-form forward in La Liga. In fact, they didn't even need Lamine to score. So, Raphinha, take it easy. Don't worry about the game in Turkey and save your energy for the truly demanding matches: those against Betis, PSG, and Madrid.

It was about time, Toni Gros. Few footballers have been able to win the hearts of the Barcelona fans in such a short time. Anthony Gordon had made an intense start to the season, with four assists, but he was missing the goal. And he was suffering because Karim Adeyemi might take his starting spot on the left of the attack. Gordon came from scoring three goals with England during the break and, with an intense and effective match, he opened the scoring against Getafe. A lucky goal, yes, because the defender deflected the ball. But a goal. The first with Barça. He needed it and the fans knew it. The celebration in the stands was a mixture of euphoria and relief.

Kounde's redemption. At this stage of the film, we all know that Jules Kounde is an inconsistent footballer. He has more than enough quality to be a top-tier full-back, but his lapses in some matches make him an unreliable player, even for the coach. The fact that Barça has improved the squad does not mean they can do without someone like him. Now that a demanding stretch of the calendar is beginning, Hansi Flick needs him at 100%. And against Getafe, he recovered his best version. Focused in defense, attentive in pressing, and sharp in attack, with two chances and a goal. That's the way, Jules.

The best attendance. After a September that was rainy like few others, the Camp Nou was finally able to enjoy a match without umbrellas or raincoats. We already know that we will have to wait until well into 2028 for the roof to be finished and to shelter all the fans. In the meantime, we will have to keep looking at the sky before heading to the stadium. Perhaps for that reason, and because the forecasts were good, it offered the best look of the season, with 59,465 fans, 100 more than during the visit of Athletic Club. And that was on a long weekend. A fact, of course, that was compensated for by a good number of tourists.