Barcelona produced a dominant display to record a 5-0 victory over Young Boys at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic.
Hansi Flick would have challenged his side to produce a positive response after his decision to rotate his squad backfired in Saturday's 4-2 defeat to Osasuna.
Flick's charges rose to the task as Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring before Raphinha and Inigo Martinez grabbed a goal apiece from dead-ball situations.
Young Boys ultimately failed to learn from their mistakes as Lewandowski made full use of another set piece to add his second and Barcelona's fourth in the opening stages of the second half.
The visitors did their utmost to limit the damage, but Mohamed Camara's own goal allowed the hosts to celebrate a fifth in the 81st minute.
After a difficult evening, the travelling contingent thought that they had a late consolation to celebrate only to see Joel Monteiro's effort ruled out for offside.
As a result, the Catalan giants celebrated a clean sheet and their first victory of the 2024-25 Champions League campaign.
The long-awaited return of Frenkie de Jong as a second-half substitute made it the perfect night for Barcelona, while Young Boys will be keen to move on from their second straight Champions League defeat.
BARCELONA VS. YOUNG BOYS HIGHLIGHTS
Lewandowski goal vs. Young Boys (8th min, Barcelona 1-0 Young Boys)
Barcelona pass rings around Young Boys as Robert Lewandowski scores at the back post 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 1, 2024
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/T3tyLeOUbg
Lewandowski gets the Blaugrana off to a perfect start. A slick passing move culminates in Raphinha drilling a low ball to the back post for Lewandowski to tap in to the awaiting net.
Raphinha goal vs. Young Boys (34th min, Barcelona 2-0 Young Boys)
Raphinha doubles Barcelona's lead following a short corner routine 🇧🇷
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 1, 2024
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/PBjq5Lgl3v
Barcelona grab a deserved second to leave Young Boys with a mountain to climb. The hosts work a short corner into the box to give Pedri the chance to unleash a fierce strike towards goal. Pedri's effort is blocked, but the ball falls kindly for Raphinha to sweep in from close range.
Martinez goal vs. Young Boys (37th min, Barcelona 3-0 Young Boys)
Another set piece, another goal. Martinez towers high in the box to meet Pedri's free kick and direct his header past the unmoved Keller.
Lewandowski goal vs. Young Boys (51th min, Barcelona 4-0 Young Boys)
Robert Lewandowski is there again to make it 4️⃣ for Barcelona!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 1, 2024
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/QpXrwFtaBB
Barcelona require just six minutes to score the first goal of the second half. Martinez meets Raphinha's deep corner to head the ball across goal for Lewandowski to guide home Barcelona's fourth goal of the evening.
Camara own goal vs. Young Boys (81st min, Barcelona 5-0 Young Boys)
Barcelona grab a fifth and the manner of the goal effectively sums up the visitors' forgettable evening. Camara diverts the ball past his own goalkeeper as he fails to deal with Balde's low cross.
MAN OF THE MATCH - RAPHINHA
© Imago
Pedri, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal all produced impressive displays, but for us, Raphinha was the standout performer in the dominant victory.
The Brazilian has been in fine form in the opening stages of the season, and he produced another stellar performance in this contest, providing an assist for the opener before scoring the second.
Raphinha carried a real threat throughout the contest and created five chances as he persistently troubled the Young Boys' defence.
BARCELONA VS. YOUNG BOYS MATCH STATS
Possession: Barcelona 70%-30% Young Boys
Shots: Barcelona 21-5 Young Boys
Shots on target: Barcelona 8-1 Young Boys
Corners: Barcelona 9-3 Young Boys
Fouls: Barcelona 9-10 Young Boys
BEST STATS
9 - @FCBarcelona´s @LamineeYamal 🇪🇸 has now started more games while aged under-18 than any other player in UEFA Champions League history (9), overtaking Jude Bellingham and Warren Zaïre-Emery this evening (8 each). Rocket. pic.twitter.com/EGDWcP93cR
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 1, 2024
51 - @FCBarcelona´s @lewy_official 🇵🇱 has become just the second player in UEFA @ChampionsLeague history to score 50+ goals after turning 30 years of age (51th such goal tonight), following Cristiano Ronaldo (68). Eternal. pic.twitter.com/tMjbA3cQHo
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 1, 2024
0.79 - Players with the best goal ratio in @ChampionsLeague (at least 50 goals scored):
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 1, 2024
0.79 - ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI 🇵🇱
0.79 - Lionel Messi 🇦🇷
0.77 - Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹
0.77 - Ruud van Nistelrooy 🇳🇱
0.59 - Karim Benzema 🇫🇷
Classics. 🎩 pic.twitter.com/j3Bz5k11R8
WHAT NEXT?
After returning to winning ways, Barcelona will now turn their focus to Sunday's La Liga away clash against Alaves.
Meanwhile, Patrick Rahmen's side will have to pick themselves up for Sunday's Swiss Super League meeting with Basel.
In regards to the Champions League, the Blaugrana will face German giants Bayern Munich on matchday three, while Young Boys will play host to Inter Milan.
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