Lamine, all good now!

A high-flying thriller

Wednesday night was marked by a match as spectacular as it was concerning for FC Barcelona. At Club Brugge’s home ground, the Blaugranas played an end-to-end game that finished in a wild 3-3 draw — a disappointing result considering Barça’s history and stature.

Disastrous start for Barça

The match began with bad news for Barça. Just six minutes in, Brugge struck first with a lightning counterattack, as Nicolo Tresoldi scored the opener from a Carlos Forbs assist. For those expecting a quick Blaugrana reaction, it came soon: Ferran Torres finished decisively to make it 1-1 just two minutes later. However, the joy didn’t last long — in the 17th minute, Forbs punished Barça’s high defensive line again, putting Brugge ahead 2-1.

Constant responses and bad luck with the woodwork

After going 2-1 down, Barça dominated possession and attack, but luck was not on their side: efforts from Jules Koundé and Eric García hit the post before halftime. The Blaugrana reaction came to life in the second half: Lamine Yamal, with his trademark pace and flair, scored a brilliant solo goal to make it 2-2. But the same issue persisted — just two minutes later, Forbs struck again on the counter, exploiting Barça’s poor positioning to restore Brugge’s lead at 3-2.

A rescue, but no applause

When all seemed lost, Barça found an answer. In the 77th minute, Yamal sent in a cross that ended up as an own goal by Christos Tzolis, making it 3-3. And there was more drama: in stoppage time, Brugge thought they had scored the winner (4-3), but VAR disallowed it for a foul on goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. The point salvaged part of the situation but left an uneven feeling and a clear warning sign.

Reflections on weaknesses and lessons for the future

This draw should serve as an invitation to reflect. Coach Hansi Flick stated that while the club’s philosophy must remain intact, the team “needs to work better,” as they allowed too many quick transitions. Time and again, Barça was punished for their high defensive line and failure to block the opponent’s buildup. Another worrying factor: the team that should dominate did so, but still conceded three goals — complicating their path to the Round of 16 in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League.

Looking toward the culé faithful

For Barça fans, it was an emotional roller coaster — from hope to fear, from reaction to confusion, and finally to a sense of “at least we got a point.” But that “at least” falls short. When Barça’s name appears in Europe, the expectation is not just to avoid losing: it’s to compete, dominate, and win. This time, at least, the team showed character by coming back three times. But euphoria is tempered by the ever-present demand for excellence that defines the Blaugrana spirit.

The 3-3 draw against Brugge will be remembered as a thrilling match full of goals, mistakes, and drama. But beyond the spectacle, it must serve as a warning: attacking and reacting are not enough; for a club like Barcelona, solid, all-around competitiveness is essential. Culers deserve nights where the show comes with victory. This time, it didn’t. But the week goes on, the challenge continues, and so does the hope.

Lamine Yamal, a ray of light on a gray night

Amid Barça’s defensive confusion and collective doubts, Lamine Yamal once again was the best news for the team. The young winger played a brilliant match against Club Brugge, showing that he has overcome the physical issues that had limited him in recent weeks. Everything indicates that he has successfully recovered from pubalgia, which had kept him cautious, and his performance in Belgium was the clearest proof.

Fast, unpredictable, and confident in one-on-one situations, Yamal was the player who most troubled the opposition and gave purpose to Barça’s attack. His contribution was decisive: he scored Barça’s second goal with a brilliant individual effort and forced the own goal by Tzolis that sealed the 3-3 draw. Every time he touched the ball, the team gained depth and danger, and his understanding with Ferran Torres offered glimpses of what could become a promising attacking trio. Beyond his offensive impact, he looked physically freer, quicker in sprints, and able to repeat efforts. His return not only restores one of Barça’s most talented players but also boosts the morale of a team in need of on-field leaders. On a gray night, Lamine Yamal was the spark that ignited culé hope.

Koundé, another night to forget

At the other extreme, Jules Koundé again left worrying impressions. The Frenchman delivered a performance well below expectations, accumulating errors in ball distribution and marking. In Brugge’s first goal, he was out of position trying to anticipate; in the second, he failed to cover his zone; and in the third, he was too easily beaten on a transition that highlighted his lack of concentration.

Most concerning is that this pattern no longer seems accidental. Koundé has stringed together several matches of insufficient performance, far from the level he showed in his first season as a culé. His slow covering and lack of decisiveness contrast sharply with the security expected from a French international defender. Added to this is his inconsistency in decision-making, resulting in a backline that suffers more than it should. Barcelona needs a solid defense to compete with Europe’s elite, and at present, Koundé is not providing those guarantees. His status demands he step up, but each game like yesterday’s only fuels doubts about his role in Flick’s project.

The controversial play that marked the end of the match

The thrilling draw between FC Barcelona and Club Brugge not only delivered six goals and a flood of emotions, but also a final action that sparked much debate. In the 93rd minute, as the home team seemed poised to claim victory with a last-gasp goal, the referee —after VAR intervention— decided to disallow the goal for a foul on Wojciech Szczęsny, Barça’s goalkeeper.

The play occurred after a risky back pass from the Blaugrana defense, which forced the Polish keeper to control the ball inside the area. In a daring attempt, Szczęsny tried to dribble past the Brugge forward, but the attacker touched his leg just before the ball came loose. The forward collected the ball and scored, sparking local celebration, but the joy was short-lived: VAR intervened, and after reviewing the action, the referee ruled there was a clear foul on the goalkeeper before the goal.

A correct decision, though inevitably controversial

As often happens in European matches of this type, reactions came quickly. The home fans protested angrily, convinced that Szczęsny had exaggerated the contact. But television replays left little room for doubt: the Brugge forward clearly struck the goalkeeper’s supporting leg at the moment he was attempting to exit with the ball under control. It was a light touch, but enough to destabilize him inside the six-yard box. Even some neutral analysts agreed that the referee’s decision was correct. Szczęsny took an unnecessary risk trying to dribble, but the rules protect the goalkeeper in such situations when contact occurs before the ball is contested. It wasn’t simulation, but a clear infraction.

A Barça raising more doubts than certainties

The 3-3 draw against Club Brugge has left FC Barcelona at a crossroads. Beyond the result, the match once again highlighted that the team still lacks defensive balance. The three goals conceded weren’t accidental, but followed the same recurring pattern: a fragile defensive line, miscommunications between the center-backs, and an alarming lack of assertiveness in individual duels.

Hansi Flick opted for a high defensive line and pressing, but Brugge found spaces behind with worrying ease. Every opponent transition was a real threat. The German coach insisted that “the team must learn to manage risks,” yet the problem seems deeper: there is no solidity or coordination, which translates into collective insecurity.

Defense on alert: Eric García’s injury worsens the situation

As if the errors weren’t enough, Barça added another concern to the infirmary. Eric García suffered a nasal fracture after a heavy aerial clash in the second half and had to be substituted. Although the Catalan center-back was having a decent game — showing more composure than Koundé — his injury leaves Flick with fewer options for upcoming matches, especially if he must play with a mask or even rest for some games. The Blaugrana backline is at a critical juncture. Koundé struggles with consistency, Christensen alternates between good and bad performances, and Ronald Araújo has yet to regain his top physical level. Eric’s temporary absence may force the coach to rely on youth players or improvise positions, a clear sign that the squad may need reinforcements in the winter if it wants to compete in Europe reliably.

Yamal, a ray of hope

Amid the chaos, Lamine Yamal was again the positive note. His performance in Belgium was a display of talent and maturity, but above all, of physical recovery. After weeks dealing with pubalgia discomfort, the culé winger looked free, fast, and full of spark unseen for some time. He scored a goal, contributed to the third, and was the only player able to generate constant danger. Flick did not hesitate to praise him after the match: “He’s returning to his best form. He’s a special player, and we need him like this.” At just 17, Yamal has become Barça’s great offensive hope. In a team still seeking consistency, his daring and ability to create chances represent the best news from a match that, at times, felt more like a warning than a typical European night.

Between hope and concern

Barça finds itself in a delicate position: promising in attack, but worrying in defense. While Lamine Yamal grows and establishes himself as the new standard-bearer of the attack, the defense remains the Achilles’ heel preventing a step up in quality. With Eric García’s injury and Koundé’s ups and downs, Flick will need to readjust pieces and, above all, rebuild the team’s confidence from the back. The draw in Belgium not only left two points dropped, but also a sense of vulnerability that Barça fans cannot ignore. Without defensive solidity, no project can endure. But with youngsters like Yamal taking giant steps, hope remains alive at Camp Barça.

Lamine, undisputed MVP of the match

Lamine earns his second MVP in a true display of brilliance. His pubalgia issues are now behind him, making this one of the few positive takeaways from yesterday’s match. He sits second, just behind Pedri, with 19 points.

Ferran Torres earns 3 points thanks to his first goal. Although his overall performance wasn’t outstanding, he was still one of the best on the team, keeping him in the top 5 of the ranking. Fermín, with 2 assists, adds 2 points, placing him third ahead of Ferran Torres. Finally, Eric García, the standout of the defense, earns 1 point.

A dangerous Celta at Balaídos despite the doubts

Next Sunday at 21:00, FC Barcelona will visit a Celta de Vigo side that, although not at its best, always steps up at home. Under the guidance of Claudio Giráldez, the Galician team tries to maintain an identity based on possession and combination play, but results haven’t always followed. Celta approaches the clash with more doubts than certainties, especially in defense, where they have shown worrying fragility in recent matches.

Still, Balaídos is usually an uncomfortable venue for Barça. Celta presses high, aims to disrupt the opponent’s buildup, and has players capable of breaking the balance with a single action. The intensity with which they play at home, combined with fan support, turns every match in Vigo into a physical and emotional battle.

Strengths and weaknesses

The main danger from Celta continues to be their transition attack. With fast, vertical players, the Galicians can create clear chances if Barça leaves spaces behind. Additionally, the presence of Iago Aspas, who always steps up against the Blaugranas, remains a decisive factor due to both his leadership and technical quality.

And that’s it for the fifth episode of Culé DNA. We’ll be back on Monday after the league match against Celta de Vigo. Thanks for joining us, culers, and see you in the next episode.