Barcelona coach Hansi Flick lauded a “nearly perfect” performance but warned the Spanish champions can still get better after thrashing Valencia 5-0 at Mestalla on Sunday.
Lamine Yamal scored twice, with Raphinha, Fermín López and Pedri also on target as Barça made it four wins from four to move clear at the top of the table after Real Madrid lost to Real Betis on Friday.
“It’s all about the quality in training,” Flick said of Barça’s five-star showing. “When I see this, I am convinced about how we can play.
“Today was a fantastic game, nearly perfect. We had control, we were dominant. This is what I want: to control the game and try to get spaces. We did it.
“But nothing is perfect. You can always improve. We can get better.”
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It was the third time in four games Barça have scored five goals this season, taking their total to 17 for the campaign already.
Raphinha has scored six playing as a makeshift striker, while Fermín and Yamal have also weighed in with four each.
This after Barça spent the summer chasing a new striker after the departures of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford.
They eventually signed Gabriel Jesus, who made his debut as a late substitute against Valencia, after failing to negotiate a deal for Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez.
“It doesn’t change our thoughts,” Flick added when asked if Barça’s need for a striker may reduce if they keep scoring at the current rate.
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“We need normally a real No.9, this is clear. But we have huge quality in the offence, also in the midfield — everyone can score goals.
“I am also happy that Pedri scored today. For me, how we play, how we control the game and how use the spaces [is important], but we also have the quality in 1v1 situations and the finishing.”
Midfielder Pedri also said Barça will not struggle for goals this year.
“People always want a striker that scores 40 goals a season, but we have a lot of players that can do that work,” the Spain international told Movistar.
“We have a lot of players who will get in those positions to score goals — we have Raphinha, Lamine, [Anthony] Gordon, Gabriel Jesus, [Karim] Adeyemi… We won’t lack goals this season.”
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Sunday’s win over Valencia was also the first time Pedri had started in midfield alongside summer signing Rodri.
The duo began the World Cup together for Spain, but Pedri eventually lost his place in Luis de la Fuente‘s side, leading to claims they could not play alongside each other.
“It has been said that we don’t work together, but it’s very comfortable playing with Rodri,” Pedri added.
“He hardly ever loses the ball and that helps a lot in defence. We’re going to have a good understanding that will get even better with more and more games.”
Flick also praised Rodri’s full debut in a Barça shirt, with the ex-Manchester City man playing an hour as he continues to find match rhythm, and spoke about how important he will be to the development of youngsters like Marc Bernal.
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“We are happy he is in our team,” the German coach said of Rodri.
“You can see everything he does with the ball, on the pitch, it makes sense. It also gives the team in offence with the ball structure, but also without the ball.
“But Bernal is doing also great job. For him, this is a good situation. If he takes this opportunity in the right way, he will improve and get better and better.
“This is what we want also with this transfer. Rodri is amazing. Not only on the pitch great, also in the dressing room, an absolute leader. It’s good to have him.”
