Things haven't been easy for Barcelona during this run of disappointing results. The same proved true in the Catalan side's 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Ferran Torres scored twice off the bench to give Barcelona the win. A win that leaves them in second place in the Champions League table.
Barcelona dominated large spells of the first half, threating the Borussia Dortmund goal but unable to get that goal despite creating a handful of opportunities. Raphinha had one of those misses as he sent a shot wide following a patented pass from Lamine Yamal where he strikes the ball with the outside of his boot.
The two sides went into the break tied with Barcelona lamenting those missed chances and Borussia Dortmund feeling fortunate to not be down a goal.
But it would be Raphinha who eventually put Barcelona ahead as Dani Olmo recovered the ball near the Dortmund half before putting the Brazilian through. Raphinha had Lamine Yamal alone for an easy tap in but went for it himself, creating an angle before shooting the ball across the keeper who could do nothing to stop it.
The lead wouldn't last long for Barcelona as Pau Cubarsi shoved Serhous Guirassy to gift Dortmund a penalty that Guirassy went on to convert.
Hansi Flick made a triple substitution, bringing off Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo for Ferran Torres, Fermin Lopez and Frenkie de Jong.
It wouldn't take long for his changes to work as Ferran Torres scored just four minutes after entering the pitch. Jules Kounde sent in a cross that Fermin Lopez connected well with only for his attempt to be saved by the goalkeeper. But the rebound landed to Torres who wasn't going to miss from close range.
Again, however, the joy wouldn't last long for Barcelona as their offside trap was beaten three minutes later with Pascal Gross laying the ball off to Guirassy for his brace.
Borussia Dortmund threatened to take the lead, driven by their new found sense of confidence. Iñaki Peña punched out a corner and in an attempt to play it to a teammate, Dortmund gave the ball away as Pedri pounced to start a counterattack. He laid the ball off to Lamine Yamal who quickly passed it to Torres. Despite a poor first touch, Torres composed himself before striking the ball into the back of the net to give Barcelona the lead and ultimately the win.
The whole team celebrated the goal not only for going ahead but because Ferran Torres, who has had his struggles, scored them. Two goals that he needed and should be a boost to his confidence.
"We are very happy with the game. It's not a matter of course to pick up three points in this stadium. We worked very hard for it and were rewarded," Lamine Yamal said. "Dortmund made it very difficult for us and always came back. The result is very important for us, because we have two very tough final tasks ahead of us with Benfica and Atalanta."
Yamal, who was the player of the match, is correct. Benfica and Atalanta aren't going to be easy opponents. But they won't have to worry about those fixtures until the new year.
They now turn their attention back to LaLiga where they'll look to get back to winning ways as they host Leganes on Sunday.