Football is a state of mind. And Barça has plenty of authority, conviction and goals. When this edition of the Champions League demanded a third victory in a row that would take them to the top of the standings and European history demanded a boost of authority and prestige away from home, the team Hansi Flick decreed before him Red Star his new mandate with an incontestable victory. The Belgrade inferno was completely extinguished. and of Maximovic, who had challenged Lamine, It was not even known.
The ball is always right. and he Barça I had her in front of a team with a vulgar proposal, hoping only for a short circuit. Without the ball, the Red Star It was always exposed. And they scored five goals that could have been more. Lewandowski, with a double from a true goal hunter, and Raphinha, with a telephoto lens in hand, certified their state of scoring grace and Koundéhis candidacy for assistant of the year. Three in half an hour. The objective set by Flick Being among the top eight is a fact, with a bag of goals.
Red Star – FC Barcelona: the best moments in images
PHOTOS: Pep Morata (MD) / Agencies
Flick continued with its usual lineup script, although introducing three tweaks, two planned as the recovery of Koundé and the return of De Jong and some other unexpected ones like Gerard Martin by Bucket. The Dutchman’s entry advanced Pedri and sat him down. Elmscorer in the derby. There was no lack Lamine Yamalwhistled loudly when his name sounded over the stadium speakers in contrast to the applause for Maksimovichthe local gem also 17 years old.
The first dangerous action, however, was signed by the winger rock bottom who caught a cross that was saved by the goalkeeper. Not even five minutes had passed. Until then, the culé story had been interrupted by another disallowed goal, the 14th, due to offside. Elsnik, 100. This Barça It works like that but in Belgrade they didn’t know it. Minutes later, the Blaugrana went ahead from a set piece with a cross header from Iñigo Martínez. The football of Barça It’s like that.
The display of resources was overwhelming. It was a single-issue party. Possession, pressure, recovery and any attempt, such as the Olympic goal of Raphinha. Al Barça He was getting an evil face and didn’t want to let go of his prey. He played his game like a pack. The Brazilian tried again with a whip of his own.
But the system was shattered by accident, due to a simple mismatch. He Red Starwho had limited himself to claiming a non-existent penalty, put together a combination that deactivated the culé offside line. This time the ball reached Silas, via I’m goingand this time, exposed, Iñaki Peña could do nothing. It was a tie, but to the points, those of Flick They continued to hold the meeting.
Barça was doing its thing, with incursions like one of Lewandowski that upset a hostile crowd. Lamine was trying too. It never occurred to anyone that the damn bad streak outside could continue in Belgrade. To nobody. The Blaugrana were doing it until a blast from Raphinha hit the post and Lewandowskia true hustler, caught the ball to finish from point-blank range. Barça went into the break winning. He deserved it.
The second half started with two near goals, one from Pedro and another even clearer one of Lewandowski and two that were. The two in a row that ended the match. One from the Pole, another on the goal line, and the usual one from Raphinha from the front of the area.
The history of the party was already written. He Barça added his third victory, broke the curse away from home and consumed the minutes to return the second half of the derby to Flick. There was no spirit to even protest plays that made the players angry. An offside that avoided the law of advantage for the Blaugrana. Fermín’s goal rewarded a player with a lot of goals and who catches whatever comes his way.
Just the stitch on the head that he received Cubarsí and which forced him to be replaced by Sergi Domínguez worried Flick. Not even Milson’s goal altered him.
TECHNICAL SHEET
RED STAR-BARÇA, 2-5
RED STAR
Ilic; Seol, Spajic, Djiga, Roddic (Milson, 59′); Kanga (Dalcio, 72), Elsnik, Krunic; Silas (Prutsev, 82′), Maksimovic (Ilic, 72′); and Ndiaye (Katai, 82′).
BARCELONA
Iñaki Rock; Koundé, Cubarsi (Sergi Dominguez, 67′), Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin; De Jong (Gavi, 67′), Married; Lamine Yamal, Peter (Fermin, 58′), Leaf (Dani Elmo, 58′); and Lewandowski (Pau Victor, 78′).
Goals: 0-1: Inigo Martinez (13′); 1-1, SIlas (27′); 1-2, Lewandowski (43′); 1-3, Lewandowski (53′); 1-4, Leaves (55′); 1-5, Fermin (76′); 2-5, Milson (84′)
Arbitrator: Espen Eskas (Norway). He cautioned Ndiaye (61′) and Spajic (64′).
Incidences: 48,886 at the Rajko Mitic stadium match of the fourth day of the Champions League played at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade in front of about 48,886 spectators. Before the meeting, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the DANA victims in Valencia
