On Wednesday, in-form Barcelona defeated Red Star Belgrade 5-2 to remain in the Champions League group stage. Robert Lewandowski scored twice. The veteran striker now has 99 goals in the competition, while Inigo Martinez, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez also scored as Barcelona easily prevailed in Serbia. Following a 4-1 triumph over Bayern Munich in their previous European appearance, Hansi Flick’s team won their sixth consecutive game across all competitions.
Barcelona has scored at least three goals in each of its victories, and they were equally effective in the Rajko Mitic Stadium. “We are doing things well, and many of them are visible and reflected in our play. But there are some things that I can tell you as a defender that we are struggling with,” admitted Barcelona center-back Martinez.
“When the team drops (in focus) just a little in the final… if we can improve that, then I believe we can be a great team and at last we can enjoy this victory.” Frenkie de Jong started a match for Barcelona for the first time since April, although Flick largely went with his customary first-choice side. The German coach employs an exceptionally high defensive line, which has tormented Bayern Munich after Real Madrid in recent weeks, and Red Star’s goal was thrown out for offside after only four minutes.
Barcelona took the lead after 13 minutes, thanks to Martinez’s wonderful header from Raphinha’s dangerous free kick. The Brazilian winger should have scored the second, but he lashed wildly over after a fantastic ball from Lamine Yamal sent him racing in on goal, and he also hit the post directly from a corner kick.
Red Star upset La Liga leaders Barcelona by scoring in the 27th minute when Silas beat the offside trap and finished past the onrushing Inaki Pena. Gerard Martin, who started at left-back in place of Alejandro Balde in a rare rotation by the coach, was to responsible for putting the Congolese forward onside.
Achieving objectives Barcelona took the lead just before halftime when Lewandowski reacted quickly to finish the rebound after Raphinha’s low drive hit the post. The 36-year-old had a great opportunity to add another when Raphinha set him up, but he was able to score his second goal from point-blank range after 53 minutes after Jules Kounde’s cross reached him.
It was the Polish striker’s 19th goal of the season in all competitions, spanning 16 games, and his fifth in four European games. Only former Chicago great Lionel Messi, and Real Madrid icon Ronaldo, respectively, have scored more goals in the competition’s history than Lewandowski, who has one less than a century.
Raphinha scored the fourth with a low shot from the edge of the box, following further superb work by Kounde. Barcelona’s 17-year-old center-back Pau Cubarsi was forced off after suffering a cut just below his eye from a high boot, marking a rare setback for the Catalans.
“He’s laughing, he’s got stitches, but he’s young,” Flick said after the game, implying the defender was not gravely injured. Kounde completed his hat-trick of assists by passing the ball back to substitute Fermin Lopez, who scored the team’s fifth goal past Marko Ilic.
Milson added another goal for the hosts with a superb curling finish past Inaki Pena, providing some consolation. Lopez hit the crossbar late on as Barcelona finished with five goals for the fourth time this season, giving them a staggering 55 in 16 matches across all competitions.”We can always improve, but I have to say that I’m very satisfied,” Flick told Movistar. “They played good, were good with the ball, and also we pressed them and it’s good to see that.”