Barcelona crushes Espanyol to stay unbeaten, but is it enough for the Champions League?

Barcelona goes on its winless run in this season, while the 3-1 victory over Espanyol showed clearly the dominative Catalan squad in La Liga. In 12 matches played and 11 victories, in which Barça has managed to implement an astonishing number of 40 goals, keeping their unbeaten run in local derbies to 27. A win, a classic, above all, another golden chance to consolidate the lead.

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Barça's Attack Symphony

Since the whistle blew, Barcelona didn't really lose any time. Barça's attack was already a perfectly designed symphony in the very beginning of the match. With maestro Dani Olmo fresh from injury, Olmo stole every headline after 12 minutes following a perfectly timed pass from Lamine Yamal. Young talent attached to Barça set it up all so precisely that Olmo could finish without hustle and bustle. Already by then, Espanyol could feel the weight of Barça pressing on them. But Xavi Hernandez's team didn't show any signs of slowing down.

Inside half an hour, Olmo struck again. Picked up at the edge of the box, the forward, with a move of pure technical ability, delivered an immaculate finish, grabbing his second goal of the match and his fifth of the season. The stat was striking-one every 49 minutes. And to wrap up this first-half symphony, the forward Raphinha also left his seal, assisted by Marc Casadó. The Brazilian broke through, chipped the ball over Espanyol's goalie, and scored his seventh goal, climbing to second in the Liga top scorer ranks.

Espanyol Pushes Back, But Barça Holds Steady

The rhythm of the match changed in the second half, as with the 3-0 lead Barça dialed it down a notch, and Espanyol began to fight back. Jofe Carreras and Alvaro Tejedo found the net, but VAR called both goals back. Finally, Javi Puado got one for Espanyol that was able to salvage at least a point of pride.

This second-half restraint was part of coach Hansi Flick's plan. Speaking in the post-match press conference, Flick explained that his side periodically "lost the rhythm" and "let concentration slip". However, he did appreciate how controlled the team was throughout while highlighting the need to hold onto their advantage. Flick then shifted attention to next week's Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade and said his team must do better, be focused, and take control if the results are to be achieved in Europe.

Olmo's Return

Dani Olmo's game was, without a doubt, the highlight of this derby. After an injury break, Olmo showed up with hunger for the goal, and it clearly stated that he is one of the main actors of Barça this season. The accuracy of passing and speed in decision-making stood out, and it looked like he had never stepped off the pitch.

Flick himself praised Olmo, who "still needs match rhythm" but was "excellent." The mix of praise and belief from the coach only enhances Olmo's status in the team's tactical setup. Flick has also commented on the leadership of Iñigo Martinez and the development of Marc Casadó, while applauding the growth of the young midfielder during recent months.

Dominance Reflected on the Table and Future Goals

With Real Madrid off this round, Barcelona extended the lead in La Liga to at least a comfortable nine points until the end. The extra breathing room brings even more confidence for the challenges ahead. Still, the season is only just beginning for Barça, and it needs to maintain a high level both in Spain and in Europe.

A victory that not only strengthens Barça's leadership but also boosts its momentum for the Champions League match against Red Star, which is crucial for the group stage. Flick has already said it: if Barça is to compete on the continent, then it needs to raise the level, because in European soccer, every mistake can be costly, and Barça wants to regain prestige and reach the later stages of the tournament.