Barça, under Hansi Flick, opened the season with a 0‑5 win over Elche. The goal was split between Raphinha and Fermín, each scoring a double.

The match, played at the Martínez Valero, was the league’s second round and the first had been postponed for the World Cup break, so the opening game will be played this Thursday against Athletic at the Spotify Camp Nou at 21:00.

On 20 August 2016, Luis Enrique’s Barça started the 2016‑17 season with a 6‑2 win over Betis at Camp Nou, featuring a hat‑trick from Luis Suárez, a double from Leo Messi and an opening goal by Arda Turan. A decade later, the blue‑red team, with Flick at the helm and defending the title, displayed a similar offensive display with the 0‑5 against Elche.

In the current squad, Messi and Suárez remain the club’s all‑time top scorers, with 672 and 198 goals respectively. In Elche’s victory, Raphinha and Fermín each netted two goals, while the new signing Adeyemi scored his first goal for the club and Gordon provided two key assists.

The absence of Robert Lewandowski (Chicago) and Ferran Torres (PSG) leaves Barça without a pure number‑9. Flick has expressed his desire for a striker who can score consistently. Although Julián Álvarez is an option, his profile does not fully fit Flick’s vision.

The team’s style of play relies on dynamic, deep‑running, high‑pressing, fast forwards with a strong goal‑scoring instinct. The spread of goals among several players shows that scoring responsibility does not rest on a single individual.

The 0‑5 at Elche also highlights the quality of forwards who, besides Raphinha and Fermín, include players like Adeyemi and Gordon, who bring creativity and finishing.

Flick is looking for a pure ‘9’, but acknowledges that not all matches will play out like Elche. In fixtures where the team needs a more static attack, a target man will be crucial.

Elche’s result gives Barça a solid offensive foundation for the season, while the upcoming match against Athletic will be a challenge to maintain the attacking tempo.

The 0‑5 at Elche also recalls the 6‑2 of 2016, showing that Barcelona’s squad remains a goal‑scoring powerhouse under Flick.