Robert Lewandowski bagged a brace as five-star Barcelona gave Young Boys of Bern a schooling in the Champions League.
Hansi Flick’s side had suffered a disappointing loss to Monaco in the first matchday, but responded superbly against Young Boys to get points on the board and move up the Champions League standings with an emphatic 5-0 win.
Lewandowski opened the scoring after just eight minutes as Barcelona completely dominated, with Raphinha and Inigo Martinez adding to the score before the break.
Young Boys created a sprinkling of chances throughout the night, but Barcelona missed plenty more opportunities of their own, sparing the visitors an even more demoralising scoreline. A second for Lewandowski on 51 minutes ended the match as a contest, sparking a string of substitutes for both sides, before an own goal by Mohamed Ali Camara completed the rout.
The Swiss side have now conceded eight goals without reply in their first two matches, and face free-flowing Inter next up, while Barcelona will now look forward to a high-profile meeting with Bayern Munich on matchday three.
Talking Point – Barcelona hit their stride
This is a very young and talented Barcelona side, but there were questions over whether the squad was slightly too youthful to make an impact in the Champions League this season. The bigger tests down the line will answer that question, but this display was a real statement from Barcelona, and showed just how much of an attacking threat they will be to any opponents who aren’t on their game. A big goal-difference could also be extremely helpful come the final shake-up in the standings, so hitting five doesn’t hurt.
Player Of The Match – Raphinha
So many Barcelona players impressed on the night, but it was Raphinha who embodied the best qualities of their display, playing with a relentless energy and drive that Young Boys could barely live with. His tenacious performance repeatedly opened up space for the other attacking players in the side to shine.
Player Ratings
Barcelona: Iñaki Peña 8; Koundé 9, Cubarsí 9, Iñigo Martínez 9, Balde 8; Casado 8, Pedri 9; Lamine Yamal 9, Ferran Torres 7, Raphinha 9; Lewandowski 8. Subs: Fati 7, Fort 7, De Jong 6, Victor 6, Cuenca 6
Young Boys: Keller 8; Colley 5, Camara 6, Zoukrou 6, Hadjam 6, Blum 5; Imeri 5, Lauper 5, Ugrinic 5, Itten 5, Monteiro 7. Subs: Niasse 6, Virginius 6, Athekame 6, Ganvoula 7, Lakomy 6
Match Highlights
8’ – GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 YOUNG BOYS (LEWANDOWSKI)
It’s the opener for Barcelona and that’s been coming! Rafinha drills a shot-come-cross towards the far post and Robert Lewandowski is on hand to turn it home from close range. 1-0 and fully deserved too.
34’ – GOAL! BARCELONA 2-0 YOUNG BOYS (RAPHINHA)
Barcelona have the second that they’ve been pushing for as Raphinha surges onto a rebound and lashes his shot home beyond a stranded keeper. 2-0.
37’ – GOAL! BARCELONA 3-0 YOUNG BOYS (MARTINEZ)
It’s three! Martinez rises highest in the box to meet a delicious free-kick delivery and that is surely game over.
51’ – GOAL! BARCELONA 4-0 YOUNG BOYS (LEWANDOWSKI)
A deep corner is headed back across goal by Martinez and Robert Lewandowski reacts quickest to nudge it in from close range. He’s on a hat-trick now and you wouldn’t bet against him getting it.
81’ – GOAL! BARCELONA 5-0 YOUNG BOYS (OG. CAMARA)
Oh that’s cruel. Balde whips in a low cross and Camara gets a touch that sends the ball beyond the despairing dive of his own keeper and in off the post.
90’ – NO GOAL! VAR DENIES YOUNG BOYS
Young Boys think they have a consolation as Monteiro bursts through and tucks a finish past the onrushing Pena. The away fans go wild, finally receiving something to celebrate, but the joy is short lived as VAR confirms that he was offside, only fractionally, but off.
Key Stat
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