Third win in a row, four goals for the third time in a row: FC Barcelona are surfing on an impressive wave of euphoria, which joker Dembelé in particular was able to ride on Sunday.
In the end, it was two former Dortmund players who made the difference for Barcelona – and are responsible for the growing euphoria around the Camp Nou. Barça’s form curve shows a steep upward trend, which is also closely linked to the name Aubameyang. The Gabonese has scored three times in the last three consecutive league victories – three times in the 4-1 win in Valencia, once in the 4-2 win in Naples and once in the 4-0 win against Bilbao on Sunday evening, although this time his mate Dembelé stole the show.
Barça struggled for a long time against the deep and well organised Basques, Gavi missed the only big chance after 18 minutes. So a standard had to be used: Piqué headed a corner from the left against the crossbar and Aubameyang made good on the rebound (37.). The can opener, which above all allowed the spaces to become larger.
After the break, however, Barcelona’s engine still faltered, which is why Xavi made a double substitution after 67 minutes – and he proved to have a golden touch. Substitute Frenkie de Jong made the game fast and passed the ball to Dembelé, also a substitute. Dembelé immediately went one-on-one and fired the ball from an acute angle into the top corner – the shot bounced off the post and into the goal (73rd). The Camp Nou celebrated Dembelé, his colleagues all came to congratulate him and Xavi also hailed the Frenchman.
Xavi’s jokers hit and hit and hit
Dembelé’s two assists before the third and fourth goals respectively showed that he is really into football again: Dembelé was found on the right in minute 90 with a lateral move, after a successful one-on-one he crossed butter-softly to Luuk de Jong (Joker, of course), who only had to nod in. Three minutes later, Dembelé surprised everyone by not looking for a dance on the right but crossing directly. The ball came to Depay (Joker, of course) in the five-metre area and he pushed the ball over the line.
The 4-0 meant the third win in a row, the third game in a row with four goals. No wonder the Camp Nou celebrated the team with a standing ovation. With 45 points, the Catalans now hold fourth place, but with one game in hand, they can still pass Real Betis (46). Next Sunday, Barça’s high-flying form will be put to the test at FC Elche.