Barca manages to pass the Dortmund test

Barcelona have been doubted, questioned and criticized in recent weeks after dropping points in La Liga, but were back on the rise in Germany, inflicting Dortmund’s first home Champions League defeat in three years with a wild win.

It was a fun game, a massive three points and it should be a big boost for a Barcelona team that has looked a bit shaky of late despite an excellent start to the season.

“We think from game to game and have been very successful so far. “It’s clear that the team sticks together and is ready to give everything in every game,” said Hansi Flick afterwards. “We are a bit like a family. The club is doing a lot of things right. Of course we have big goals, but we still have a long way to go.”

Barcelona have now won their last five Champions League games in a row, scoring three or more goals in those games. They are in second place in the table and look to be in top form in Europe’s premier club competition.

Raphinha leads the Champions League

Barcelona missed several chances before Raphinha finally got the visitors going with his 17th goal of the season in all competitions for Flick’s side. He has scored six goals in six games in this competition, only Robert Lewandowski has more.

But Raphinha also has a number of assists to his name, making him currently the most prolific player in the competition when it comes to goal contributions.

The Brazilian certainly seems to love the competition. He also has the most goal involvements in the Champions League all year (with nine goals and three assists) – a stat he shares with Vinicius Jr.

In fact, there are 17 goals this season, as many as he has scored in his previous 67 appearances for the club.

The Brazilian’s turnaround this season has been nothing short of breathtaking and, fortunately for Barca, shows no signs of stopping.

Ferran is the unlikely hero for Barca

Despite all their good work, Barcelona needed a few substitutes to secure victory after conceding a few stupid goals. Pau Cubarsi’s advance hardly warranted a penalty, but Serhou Guirassy had been looking for an excuse to go down all game and was happy to take the chance to throw himself to the ground.

With the game tied 1-1, Flick decided to switch off Raphinha, Olmo and Lewandowski, but saw his side win without their three key strikers. It’s a move that speaks volumes and will hopefully benefit Barca going forward.

Nobody could have called Ferran Torres the winner in Dortmund, but that’s exactly what happened. He scored his first goal after substitute Fermin Lopez parried a shot, then was needed again after Barca missed another equaliser.

Once again it was Lamine Yamal who provided the inspiration with another great pass that Ferran flawlessly put through. His first touch wasn’t the best, and you couldn’t help but wonder if the chance was wasted, but he looked up, looked again, and then swept the ball home.

Barcelona’s wild celebration when the goal went in said it all, while Ferran has now scored four goals in his last three games for Barca. Barca’s self-proclaimed ‘Shark’ may not be a fan favorite, but he was certainly the hero in Dortmund.