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| marca.com |
Barcelona delivered a spectacular performance on Tuesday night, overwhelming Olympiacos 6–1 in a UEFA Champions League clash. The spotlight was firmly on Fermin López, who scored a stunning hat-trick, proving once again that Barcelona’s youth system continues to produce elite talent. With the El Clásico against Real Madrid approaching, this dominant victory gave Hansi Flick’s squad an enormous boost.
A Lightning Start
Barcelona set the tone early. Within the first ten minutes, Lamine Yamal orchestrated a brilliant run down the right flank and delivered a perfect cross to López, who calmly finished to open the scoring. The early goal energized the home fans and immediately put Olympiacos on the back foot.
Pedri and Frenkie de Jong dictated the midfield tempo, while Barcelona’s young attackers combined speed, vision, and precision. Olympiacos struggled to respond, constantly chasing the ball and leaving gaps in defense.
Midfield Brilliance and Youthful Energy
Flick’s faith in Barcelona’s younger players paid off. Dro Fernández, making only his second Champions League start, displayed remarkable composure, controlling play and setting up counter-attacks. Alongside him, Marc Casadó acted as a midfield anchor, breaking up plays and distributing efficiently.
The link-up between Yamal, López, and the bench’s impact was electrifying, showing a mix of creativity, pace, and clinical finishing.
López Strikes Twice Before Half-Time
Before the break, Barcelona doubled their lead in a beautifully orchestrated move. Pedri recovered the ball and passed to Dro Fernández, who threaded a precise ball to López. With composure beyond his years, López slotted it home for his second goal, cementing Barcelona’s dominance.
VAR Drama and a Red Card
The second half began with a VAR-awarded penalty for Olympiacos, converted by Ayoub El Kaabi, narrowing the score to 2–1. Shortly after, Olympiacos midfielder Santiago Hezze received a second yellow card, reducing his team to ten men and shifting the match firmly in Barcelona’s favor.
Floodgates Open
Barcelona capitalized on the numerical advantage. Rashford earned a penalty, converted by Yamal, followed by López completing his hat-trick from a precise cross by Roony Bardghji. The final minutes saw Rashford score from distance, wrapping up a memorable 6–1 victory.
Final Thoughts
This match highlighted the strength of Barcelona’s youth and the tactical acumen of Hansi Flick. Fermin López’s hat-trick will be remembered as a defining moment in the Champions League season, and the team’s cohesive attacking play signals exciting prospects for upcoming fixtures.