Recovered from a muscle injury to his left thigh, Fermín López scored three goals and showed that he could be an option for the missing Catalan midfield.
The team redeemed itself from the defeat to the embezzled team in style in the . With a hat-trick of , two from Rashford and another from Lamine Yamal, Hansi Flick’s men massacred the Greek Olympicos after having an extra player, 6-1 at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, gaining momentum for the La Liga classic with Real Madrid, on Sunday. Recovered from a muscle injury in his left thigh, Fermín López played his second game in a row – he returned against Girona, on Saturday – and showed that he can be an option for the missing Catalan midfield. Barcelona climbed to six points in the Champions League and is once again dreaming of a direct place after causing distrust against Paris Saint-Germain.
In search of rehabilitation after suffering an upset against the French, current champions, 2-1, in the last round, despite playing in Spain, once again coach Hansi Flick had to rack his brains to put together the starting team. With seven absences, he had to bet on young Dro Fernandez, just 17 years old.
Lewandowski, Raphinha, Gavi, Dani Olmo, all who play from midfield to forward, goalkeepers Ter Stegen and Joan Garcia and defender Christensen were unable to play due to injuries. There was still concern about not wearing out the squad with an eye on the Liga derby for leadership against Real Madrid, scheduled for Sunday, at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Hope for resurrection in the group stage of the Champions League once again fell to the talented Lamine Yamal. And it was in an individual play by the young star that the first goal came, just after seven minutes. The striker lined up markers and only stopped when the goalkeeper made a bold exit at his feet. Fermín López took the remainder, adjusted it and sent it into the empty nets.
The early open score at Olímpico Lluís Companys made the game attractive with the Greeks having to leave their defense. The match was dynamic, with dangerous attacks from both sides and scares for the goalkeepers, after headers went close to the crossbar.
The second Catalan goal came from a steal. And a painting by Firmin López. Pedri recovered, Dro Fernández served and the number 16 dribbled past the marker in the area before passing the ball past Tzolakis.
The rest break was good for Barcelona. The team returned from the dressing rooms with high intensity and lined up opportunities to expand the already calm score. Lamine narrowly missed the target and Fermín flirted with a hat-trick. Tzolakis saved his dangerous header. The Catalan team failed at the front and ended up punished at the back.
In a confusing move, Egyptian El Kaabi scored with a header. But the move ended up being invalidated due to a penalty at the origin of the play due to a handball from García. The VAR called and, as there was no advantage in the area, the number 9 had to take the penalty carefully to finally score a valid goal. Hezze’s expulsion due to an accumulation of yellow cards, soon after, hindered a reaction from the Greeks, who lost heart and became easy prey.
After consulting the VAR, a penalty was awarded to Tzolakis on Rashford. The goalkeeper withdraws his arm during the play, even so the video referee recognizes the foul. Lamine Yamal takes the charge, hits with style, and gives Barcelona breathing space on the field again. The party turned into a rout with Rashford hitting the corner.
Flick began to spare his starters for the classic and, even so, he saw the offensive momentum not diminishing and the elastic score being built. Fermín López, with a beautiful volley, reached the hat-trick. He celebrated by hugging the coach, a clear message that he can be a starter. Rashford, in the same line as the defender, gave final numbers to a match that started complicated and ended with a humiliating score.
Barcelona will only return to the field in the Champions League on November 5th, when they visit Club Brugge, in Belgium. Olympiacos plays the day before, at home, against the Dutch PSV.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Fernando Dias
