Julián Álvarez is not here. Lewandowski and Ferran Torres are history. And the casting for the number nine at Barcelona remains open. But the team coached by Hansi Flick certainly has goals. They demonstrated it at St. Jakob-Park, in the 5-2 win against Basel through a true feast of team-created goals, just as Flick likes. Adeyemi made his debut and also assisted Hamza Abdelkarim. Lamine Yamal dressed as a seasoned professional to convert a penalty, and Jesse Bisiwu, that prodigious 18-year-old youth whom some compare to the new Dembélé (although his role models are Brazilians like Neymar or Raphinha) and for whom Barça paid 8.5 million to Club Brugge, proved Deco right. He scored a double as spectacular as it is hard to forget.
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Right from the start, the focus was on who would occupy the center forward spot. That number nine that Barça has been searching for long before Ferran Torres left for Paris or Robert Lewandowski decided to change scenery and not renew with the club to move to the MLS. Two names fit that position in the starting eleven: Raphinha and Anthony Gordon, the English international, for whom Barça paid Newcastle, before the World Cup, 70 million euros fixed and another 10 in variables. A deal made thinking about what might happen with the number nine and also a possible departure of Raphinha next summer.
But it was not Gordon who took the spearhead of the attack. It was Raphinha, also wearing the captain’s armband. If Julián does not arrive, Barcelona does not have a clear plan B. In the market, they cannot find another forward who meets the sporting and economic requirements they seek. Harry Kane has never been a real option because his intention has always been to continue at Bayern Munich. Erling Haaland, with a contract with Manchester City until 2034, is an unfeasible operation in every sense. Flick, with the youngsters Hamza and Tunkara and with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo on the bench, continues testing alternatives.
Raphinha played as the number nine with Adeyemi on the right and Gordon on the left. The two new signings showed work, commitment, ability to get free, and defensive sacrifice. The Englishman, in his first match with Barça, showed off a change of pace to leave Basel’s defense behind and look for crosses into the area for Raphinha. Adeyemi, for his part, ended up scoring the first goal with the help of the Brazilian captain. Building a strong unit and boasting fast and vertical play. Just as Flick likes. In that, Fermín is also an expert. The Andalusian, who played as an attacking midfielder, is more than ready for the start of the league after missing the World Cup due to injury. He constantly sought connection with Raphinha. He was not accurate in front of goal but did provide electricity and flair.
There were more novelties in Flick’s starting eleven. Awaiting Rodri and without Pedri or Gavi, the coach placed the versatile Xavi Espart in midfield, to the left of a tactical and focused Marc Bernal. Espart, a youth player, 19 years old, who can also play as a full-back, has captivated the German coach with his versatility and occupied a position he already played during the U-19 World Cup. He showed defensive solidity against Metinho’s incursions and great game reading, as well as creating opportunities for Adeyemi and Raphinha. He rarely makes mistakes.
In defense, Eric Garcia occupied the right-back and Alejandro Balde, already recovered from his back discomfort, the left. In the center, Christensen formed again, as in Birmingham, alongside Gerard Martín, both showing from the start very good ball distribution. A great through pass from Gerard Martín to Balde ended with a cross aimed at Gordon, who missed the shot. Christensen surprised again with his intensity. It is clear he wants to thank Flick for the opportunity to continue at Barcelona. The Dane, very fast, would snatch the ball from Malouda at Joan Garcia’s feet and then join the attack to head a cross from Fermín that went just wide.
It was a matter of time. And finally, the first goal came through Adeyemi, after a great play by Raphinha down his natural left wing. The Brazilian reached the byline and assisted with a back pass to the German, who controlled, broke past the center-back, and finished with his left foot to open the scoring.
Basel watched the dominance in astonishment. They arrived at the match after having played the first round of the Swiss Cup on Saturday, with a 1-6 victory against Courtételle. Of that eleven, only Omeragic started again against Barça. Even so, the Swiss team had two clear chances. In the first, Otele faced Joan Garcia alone. The player from Sallent, back with Barça, stopped the one-on-one, although the local forward was offside. Then, the same striker got past Eric on the left and crossed back, where Malouda appeared. His shot, strong and low, went just wide.
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The equalizer came on the third attempt. A play on the edge of Barça’s area ended with a rebound between Eric Garcia and Bernal that fell to Doucoure, a player only 17 years old. Alone against Joan Garcia, the young forward scored his team’s first goal to Flick’s frustration, who still cannot stand losing possession.
The casting of number nines continued in the second half with Hamza Abdelkarim. A man of the area, finisher and killer despite his 18 years. He has room to grow, but his goal instinct is already there. So, the Egyptian, for whom Barça barely paid 1.5 million, came on and scored. Knowing how to live inside the box is very difficult, but Hamza has the intuition to appear in finishing zones. A play by Adeyemi, who crossed with his left foot to the near post, found the forward arriving at the far post to score the 1-2. It was his third goal of the preseason, after the two he scored in Birmingham.
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal began warming up on the sideline, exciting the Basel crowd.
His entry moved Adeyemi to the left and Raphinha to the bench. These were the first changes in a massive rotation by Flick, who only left Gerard Martín until the end. And three more goals came. Lamine converted the penalty caused by Koundé with a soft but precise shot to the left post, and Bisiwu signed a double to put the finishing touch.
The winger shone brightly. It was of no use that Basel scored the 2-3, by Olaigbe, whose shot slipped to Szczesny’s right. In the first of his two goals, Bisiwu received a pass from Dani Olmo at the edge of the area. With maturity beyond his years, he turned and finished with his right foot into the top corner to score Barça’s fourth.
Then, great pressure from Lamine ended with an assist to Bisiwu, who only had to push the ball in from close range. A double for the young man from Leuven. Barça may not have a number nine, but in Basel they once again showed they have goals.
