It was chaotic and messy at times, but it was also a game full of entertainment value.
A win against a Dortmund side who don’t make it easy for any opposition sides at Signal Iduna Park isn’t to be sniffed at, and indeed, it was their first home defeat in the Champions League since November 2021.
The way in which Barca’s win arrived was arguably something of a surprise too.
Ferran Torres has flattered to deceive throughout his Barcelona career, and has rarely justified his €55m price tag.
Perhaps that’s the sum total of the issue for culers – that they don’t believe the Spaniard is worth that kind of spend.
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And yet, as he showed against Dortmund, there is a quality striker in there.
From his predatory instincts for his first goal to his arrowed finish for the second to win the game, it was goalscoring and forward play of the highest quality.
It’s been a long time coming and it’s probably a little too late to save his Barca career, however, his recent form will certainly give Hansi Flick some food for thought.
The German also deserves credit on the night too, for making substitutions that proved to be decisive.
With the game exciting and eminently watchable, it was, nevertheless, not looking likely that the Catalans were going to return home with all three points.
Taking off Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo with 20 minutes to play was a big gamble, but one that ultimately paid off.
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Though Frenkie de Jong wasn’t up to much – again – Fermin Lopez was busy and efficient, helping to create the first goal, and Ferran was a sure shot when he needed to be.
Given that all players rely on confidence to perform, both from the bench and the fan base, it will be interesting to see over the next few games whether Ferran can continue his current form.
Call it luck or just tremendous timing, the centre-forward may well have earned himself a stay of execution, if only until the summer.
As the long, hard season beings to take its toll on Robert Lewandowski, if Ferran can finally be relied upon, it’ll be like having a new signing in situ.
The one thing that Flick does need to concern himself with, however, is why his defence are leaking so many goals of late, and whether the high line has to be modified in some way.
