Transition day

Barcelona smiles again with a solid 3-1 win over Elche

The FC Barcelona tasted victory once more after their stumble in El Clásico, defeating Elche 3-1 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

A blistering start

The Blaugrana side began the match with an intensity rarely seen in recent weeks. Barely nine minutes had passed when Lamine Yamal opened the scoring with the composure of a veteran, finishing off a great collective play down the right wing. Two minutes later, Ferran Torres doubled the lead with a precise strike that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Barça dominated the match, dictating the tempo and controlling possession with long spells and vertical attacking play.

However, Elche didn’t give up. Before halftime, Rafa Mir capitalized on a defensive lapse to pull one back (2-1), reminding Barça that matches last 90 minutes and that their lack of defensive solidity remains an issue to solve.

Rashford sealed it as Barça regained confidence

In the second half, the visiting side tried to press higher, but encountered a more solid Barcelona. The introduction of fresh players revitalized the team and helped regain control of the midfield, where the absence of Pedri was noticeable. Around the hour mark, Marcus Rashford —who continues to win the hearts of the culé fans— scored the third goal with a powerful finish that sealed the final 3-1. The closing minutes allowed Barça to manage their lead and give minutes to younger players. Not only did the team secure three points, but also regained confidence in their play — something crucial for the upcoming fixtures.

Lights and shadows in Barça’s performance

Although the result was positive, Hansi Flick and his coaching staff know there’s still room for improvement. The defense once again showed some fragility in transitions, and the team ceded more possession than usual, with 51% for Elche. These details could prove costly against tougher opponents. Nevertheless, the most remarkable aspect was the team’s emotional reaction after the defeat to Real Madrid: there was intensity, commitment, and a clear desire to bounce back.

A step forward in the fight for LaLiga

With this victory, FC Barcelona stays firmly in the title race, sitting five points behind Real Madrid. There’s still a long way to go in the season, but this win was crucial to restore morale and keep the spirit of the fans alive. In short, the 3-1 win over Elche leaves good feelings, strengthens the team’s confidence, and brings a smile back to a fanbase that needed a match like this — full of youth, character, and goals. Barça believes again, and at this stage of the season, that’s worth as much as the three points.

Several standout players

One of Flick’s lineup questions was who would take Pedri’s role. As expected, Frenkie de Jong filled the Canary Islander’s position, with Casadó taking the holding midfielder spot. The Dutchman had a solid match — not quite at Pedri’s best level, but showing Flick a version of himself that left the coach satisfied.

In defense, Eric García stood out once again, delivering an excellent performance. He has been the most consistent defender in the Blaugrana backline this season — even more impressive considering he’s played in three different positions, and at times even filled in as a left-back. In attack, Fermín deserves praise. He has returned strong from his injury and witnessed Olmo’s return to action — a factor that should push him to raise his level even further. The player from El Campillo has already recorded 3 goals and 2 assists in LaLiga this season. On a negative note, we must once again highlight Kounde. Although yesterday wasn’t his worst match, it’s clear he’s still far from his form last season. Perhaps the issue lies in the lack of competition for his spot, now that Eric García seems settled on the left side of central defense. This could be causing some complacency, and maybe Flick should consider testing Araujo in that position, as Xavi once did.

No controversy at Montjuïc

Miguel Sesma Espinosa made his debut officiating an FC Barcelona match and had a calm game overall. Although some fans questioned a few minor decisions — a throw-in or corner awarded the wrong way — the truth is that the match had no controversial incidents. That was likely because both teams focused on playing football and putting on a good show, which is exactly what we saw yesterday at Montjuïc.

Last match at Montjuïc

FC Barcelona may have played their last match at Montjuïc yesterday. The team’s next two games will be away, and after the international break, they are scheduled to play on November 22 against Athletic Club — a match that could mark the first game at the new Spotify Camp Nou. If not, the debut would take place the following week, when Barça hosts Alavés, coinciding with the club’s 126th anniversary. That wouldn’t be a bad date either, although the game against Athletic seems like a much more fitting occasion to inaugurate the new Blaugrana stadium.

Fermín MVP, once again

Fermín repeats as MVP, just as he did against Olympiakos in the Champions League, after another great performance from the young player. He now sits in second place in the ranking, tied with Lamine, who added 3 more points after his impressive first-half display. Rashford earns 2 points, solidifying his spot among the top five, and Eric García picks up a well-deserved point following his strong performance.

Club Brugge

The Champions League returns this week, and FC Barcelona faces what should be, on paper, a manageable away match against Club Brugge. The Belgian side currently sits second in the league, three points behind leaders Union Saint-Gilloise — who are also competing in this Champions League and will face Atlético de Madrid. The team, managed by 45-year-old Nicky Hayden, is enjoying an excellent run in the Belgian league, sitting second with strong offensive and defensive numbers. Their home solidity and consistency in results make them one of the most reliable teams in the competition. In Europe, however, they struggle to fully impose their style: they average less possession and tend to suffer against stronger opponents. Even so, they showed their potential with a commanding 6-0 win over Rangers in the Champions League qualifying round. Their game is based on defensive organization, quick transitions, and wide play. The main challenge for the team is maintaining both physical and mental balance while competing on two demanding fronts.

And that’s it for the fourth episode of Culé DNA. We’ll be back on Thursday after the Champions League match against Club Brugge, ready to wrap up the week with the game against Celta. Thanks for joining us, culers, and see you in the next episode.