The Barça regains its vertigo

It took barely twelve minutes for Barça to make it clear to the Ilicitano team that it was not the right day to visit the Estadi Olímpic. The azulgranas started the match with eight points less than Real Madrid and occupying third place in the table, also surpassed by Villarreal. They were coming off a bad moment after falling at the Bernabéu and a concerning “shit October,” both in terms of results and sensations. To this was added a long list of injured players and the refereeing noise hovering over the team, a complicated context that Flick did not want to make excuses for, as he has repeated time and again: “no excuses”.

Today we are 44,370, thank you, culers! ????❤️ pic.twitter.com/sJmR9ssftK

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) November 2, 2025

Demolishing start

The best way to chase away the ghosts was to start strong, and that´s what the culés did. Elche, led by Eder Sarabia, came with a more offensive approach than usual, trying to take a step forward. But that turned into a costly daring: Barça came out fast, intense, and with a vertigo that reminded of their best versions. In just twelve minutes, Flick´s team was a whirlwind. In the ninth minute, Balde broke down the wing and served the ball to Lamine Yamal, who, free from any pressure, cut back with class and placed it with his left foot into the far corner, impossible for Iñaki Peña. Three minutes later, the script repeated itself with different protagonists: Fermín López crossed from the left and Ferran Torres, first time, beat his former teammate. Pure azulgrana vertigo.

Dominance without reward before halftime

Before the break, Barça created multiple chances to extend the lead. Lamine Yamal, Rashford, Fermín, and Koundé could have signed the third, but precision was lacking. And at the least expected moment, Elche found air thanks to Rafa Mir, who started from his own half, won the race against Araujo, and finished masterfully against Szczesny. A pure striker´s goal that brought some excitement back to the match. With the 2-1, Ferran Torres came close to the third after a brilliant assist from De Jong, and Lamine also had a chance for a double in a counter that ended with his shot going high. Still, Barça maintained control and showed maturity after the blow. The best part of the first half was seeing the team enjoy and regain sensations, something unusual this season.

Rashford sealed the deal

RASH RASH RASHY ???????? pic.twitter.com/sxXUx562t9

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) November 2, 2025

In an open second half, with both teams accepting the exchange of blows, Marcus Rashford was the most benefited. Fermín López provided him with a masterful pass that ended in a goal, although it was disallowed for offside. Shortly after, both insisted, and this time they did score. The Englishman, with a powerful left-footed shot and barely any angle, signed the 3-1 that did justice to the azulgrana dominance. Among those plays, Rafa Mir again came close to scoring in another dangerous action against Szczesny.

Management and positive signs

With the score under control, Flick took the opportunity to manage efforts: Fermín López, Rashford, and Balde were substituted, and Dani Olmo, Lewandowski, and Gerard Martín came on. It was the first time in weeks that the substitutions served to give rest, something vital in a short squad that aspires to compete for everything again. Lamine Yamal stayed on the field until the 88th minute, a positive sign of confidence. The young player from Mataró sought his double with insistence, in a match where Barça enjoyed itself again. And although Pedri did not appear on the pitch —nor in this report until now—, his absence reminded that there is still room to grow. Barça, finally, regained its vertigo.