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FC Barcelona have reached the first international break with a perfect record in La Liga, winning all 7 of their games and collecting 21 points. With 31 goals scored and only seven conceded, Hansi Flick’s side have made an emphatic start to the campaign, combining an explosive attack with increasing stability across the pitch.
Seven Games, Seven Wins
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Seven gameweeks into the season, Barça remain perfect in La Liga, winning all seven of their matches and taking all 21 available points.
The numbers underline just how strong the start has been.
Flick’s side have scored 31 goals while conceding only seven, giving them an impressive balance between attacking production and defensive control.
Their perfect league record also puts FC Barcelona alongside Borussia Dortmund as the only teams from Europe’s top five leagues to maintain a 100% winning record at this stage.
The latest victory came against Sevilla, with Raphinha scoring a hat-trick in a 3-1 win to extend Barça’s winning run.
The Gap at the Top Is Growing
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The picture at the top of La Liga has also shifted after the Madrid derby.
Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat against Atlético Madrid, their second league loss of the campaign.
Atlético moved up to second with 16 points, while Real Madrid slipped behind them.
That result has given Barça a significant cushion after just seven games.
Atlético and Real Betis are both on 16 points, while Real Madrid are six points behind the league leaders.
For Hansi Flick, the important part is that Barça have already created a significant gap at the top after just seven gameweeks.
Raphinha and Yamal Are Driving the Attack
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A major reason behind Barça’s remarkable start has been the form of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
The Brazilian currently leads the Pichichi race with 12 La Liga goals, while he has registered 15 league goal contributions.
Yamal follows with 11 goal contributions, putting the two Barça stars first and second respectively among players from Europe’s top five leagues.
Yamal has also contributed four assists, while Anthony Gordon has matched that tally, giving Barça another important creative outlet.
The numbers show that the attack is no longer dependent on one player.
Raphinha and Yamal are producing at an elite level, while the rest of the attack continues to contribute in different ways.
Adeyemi and Gordon Add More Firepower
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Karim Adeyemi has also started to make his presence felt since arriving at FC Barcelona, recording two goals and two assists while helping Barça win two penalties.
His pace and direct running have given Flick another way to stretch defences and create space for the team’s other attackers.
Anthony Gordon has provided another important contribution, registering four assists in the league.
His ability to play across the front line, combined with his pressing and work rate, gives Flick another versatile option in attack.
Together, Adeyemi and Gordon have added more depth to an attack already being driven by Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
With different profiles available across the frontline, Barça have shown that their attacking threat is no longer dependent on one or two players.
Pedri and Rodri Could Be Flick’s Midfield Formula
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Flick has also begun using Pedri and Rodri together in the pivot, and the combination is starting to look like one of Barça’s most balanced midfield options.
Pedri provides the creativity, movement and ability to progress possession, while Rodri offers defensive protection and control in front of the back four.
The pairing gives Barça a better balance between control and creativity, particularly against teams capable of threatening in transition.
Marc Bernal and Gavi can then provide additional energy from the bench when Flick needs to change the rhythm of a game.
Further forward, Fermín’s pressing and goalscoring threat appears to have pushed him ahead of Dani Olmo in the pecking order for the No. 10 role.
His ability to arrive in the box while maintaining Flick’s pressing intensity gives Barça another attacking weapon.
Another Injury Blow for Christensen
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Despite the impressive numbers, FC Barcelona still have some concerns to address during the international break, particularly in defence.
Andreas Christensen’s latest injury is especially unfortunate given how important he had become during the opening seven gameweeks.
The Danish centre-back had gradually worked his way back into Hansi Flick’s plans, featuring six times with four starts and 402 minutes, the most of any Barça centre-back this season.
Only Xavi Espart has played more minutes among Barça defenders, with the La Masia youngster leading the list at 440 minutes.
Christensen’s growing involvement suggested he was finally finding consistency after previous fitness problems, making his latest setback even more frustrating.
The defender suffered a left quadriceps rectus femoris muscle injury during the 3-1 victory over Sevilla and is expected to be sidelined for around four to six weeks.
With Eric García also recovering from a broken nose, Barça’s defensive options are becoming increasingly stretched.
The situation could also force the board to consider adding a left-footed centre-back.
Gerard Martín is currently the only left-footed defender available.
Still, he is not a natural centre-back, leaving Flick without a natural left-footed option in the heart of the defence if further injuries occur.
Joan García’s Injury Opens the Door for Livaković
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The goalkeeper situation has also changed since the 7-2 victory over Racing Santander.
Joan García suffered a right-knee injury after slipping on the wet turf during that game, forcing Wojciech Szczęsny to come on.
However, after Szczęsny made an error that led to a goal, Flick opted to give Dominik Livaković the starting role in the following 3-1 victory over Sevilla.
Joan García is expected to return around the end of the international break, with the October 10 meeting with Getafe reportedly being a potential target.
The international break could not have come at a better time for Barça, giving Christensen and Joan García valuable time to recover while also allowing Eric García to recover from his broken nose.
With the schedule set to intensify after the break, the additional recovery time could prove important for Flick and his defensive options.
Getafe First, Then Galatasaray
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FC Barcelona will now enter the international break with a perfect seven-game record before returning to action on October 10 against Getafe.
After that, Flick’s side will face another major test with a trip to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray.
The Turkish giants will provide a very different challenge, particularly away from home, and the fixture will test whether Barça can carry their domestic momentum into Europe.
For now, though, the numbers tell the story.
Seven games. Seven wins. 21 points. 31 goals scored and only seven conceded.
Flick’s Barça have made their intentions clear at the opening stage of the season, and with Raphinha, Yamal, Adeyemi and the rest of the attack firing, the perfect start has given them a strong foundation to build on.