Barca have begun their new year with a promising victory in the Copa Del Ray. Barca eased past UD Barbastro 4-0 in the Round of 32 of the tournament. Goals came steadily as Eric Garcia, Robert Lewandowski (twice), and Pablo Torre put their names on the scoreboard.
Here is a breakdown of key events that led to this brilliant victory.
Talking Points, Summary and Player of The Match
A Perfect Start to 2025
Barca has kicked off 2025 with positivity and intent after a tough close to 2024. It was a much-needed victory, as the club has faced issues on and off the field. This win against Barbastro will boost confidence and get players back in rhythm.
Although UD Barbastro is a fourth-division side, Barcelona’s dominance was evident throughout the match. The finishes were clinical, and Flick’s tactics were on point.
Barcelona’s Set-Pieces Shine Bright
A key point of Barca’s triumph yesterday was their dominance in set pieces. Ronald Araujo was a constant threat in the air and provided a great header assist for Eric Garcia’s opener. Robert Lewandowski also benefitted from a free-kick and doubled the lead.
Pablo Torre was sensational in taking these dead balls, and overall, players in the box displayed good aerial prowess.
Szczesny Debuts; Araujo Return to Action
This 2025 opener marked the return of Barca’s ace defender Araujo and also the debut of Wojciech Szczesny. Both played full 90 minutes and showed no signs of rustiness.
It is great to have Ronald Araujo back, as the Uruguayan was solid yesterday. I think his arrival will reinforce Barca’s character immensely.
Although UD Barbastro did not attack much, Szczesny looked composed whenever he got possession. The Polish made one save and was decent with his passing.
Pablo Torre was Barca’s Best Player
Young Pablo Torre was Barca’s standout performer last night. The youngster was directly involved in ALL THREE of Barcelona’s first goals. He showed great creativity and vision in breaking down Barbastro’s defense.
The midfielder earned two assists for Lewandowski’s goals and a goal of his own, thanks to a gift from the Barbastro keeper.
Torre proved once again that he deserves more minutes. The 21-year-old wants Barca and has been an impactful player, having to 7G/A in just 340+ minutes.
Rotation and Tactical Experimentation
The win will bring the much-needed momentum to the side, as a few players had not been firing for a few months. Flick introduced the right rotation, as many players got a chance to be featured. This gave players a chance to shine, just like Torre did. Another youngster, Toni Fernandez also made his first start for Barca at just 16 years of age.
Flick also experimented with a new system in the 2nd half. Garcia dropped from midfield in the back line, and a back three was maintained. The coach employed wingbacks, which was an interesting move.
The Catalans displayed a dominant performance, setting them up nicely for the next challenge. Next up, in the Spanish Super Cup, Barca meets Athletic Bilbao. Let’s see how things unfold further on.