Robert Lewandowski struck twice as in-form Barcelona thrashed Red Star Belgrade 5-2 to remain within the higher echelons of the Champions League group desk on Wednesday. The veteran striker climbed to 99 profession objectives within the competitors, whereas Inigo Martinez, Raphinha and Fermin Lopez additionally netted as Barcelona gained comfortably in Serbia. After thrashing Bayern Munich 4-1 of their prior European outing, Hansi Flick’s facet adopted that up with a seventh straight victory throughout all competitions.
In that successful run Barcelona have scored at the very least 3 times in every recreation and had been equally deadly on the Rajko Mitic stadium.
“Obviously we’re doing issues very effectively, and lots of of them are being seen and mirrored in our play, however there are specific issues that I can inform you, as a defender, we’re struggling in,” stated Barcelona centre-back Martinez.
“When the staff drops (in focus) that little bit ultimately… if we will enhance that, I believe we generally is a nice staff and now we will get pleasure from this victory.”
Fit once more after harm, Frenkie de Jong began a match for the primary time since April for Barcelona however Flick principally chosen his common first alternative facet.
The German coach operates with an especially excessive defensive position that has pissed off Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in latest weeks and after 4 minutes Red Star had a objective dominated out for offside.
Timi Elsnik broke in behind the defence and completed however had strayed past the final defender.
Barcelona took the lead after 13 minutes with Martinez heading dwelling beautifully from Raphinha’s harmful free-kick.
The Brazilian winger ought to have scored the second himself however lashed wildly over after a sensational ball from Lamine Yamal despatched him racing in on objective, and likewise hit the submit straight from a nook kick.
Red Star shocked La Liga leaders Barca by hitting again within the twenty seventh minute when Silas acquired the higher of the offside entice and clipped a end previous the onrushing Inaki Pena.
Gerard Martin, beginning at left-back instead of Alejandro Balde in a uncommon rotation from the coach, was guilty for taking part in the Congolese ahead onside.
Racking up objectives
Barcelona nudged their manner in entrance shortly earlier than the break when Lewandowski reacted quickest to complete the rebound after Raphinha’s low drive hit the submit.
The 36-year-old wasted a tremendous likelihood so as to add one other when Raphinha teed him up however was capable of bundle dwelling his second from level clean vary after 53 minutes when Jules Kounde’s cross discovered him.
It was the Polish striker’s nineteenth objective of the season in all competitions throughout 16 matches, and his fifth in 4 European video games.
Only former Barcelona nice Lionel Messi and Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo have scored extra within the competitors’s historical past than Lewandowski, one wanting a century.
Raphinha stroked dwelling the fourth with a low effort from the sting of the field after extra good work by Kounde.
Barcelona’s 17-year-old centre-back Pau Cubarsi was pressured off after sustaining a minimize just under his eye from a excessive boot, on a uncommon detrimental notice for the Catalans.
“He’s laughing, he is acquired stitches, however he is younger,” stated Flick after the sport, indicating the defender was not critically harm.
Kounde accomplished a hat-trick of assists by reducing the ball again to substitute Fermin Lopez to fit the staff’s fifth objective previous Marko Ilic.
Milson pulled one other objective again for the hosts with a tremendous curling end previous Inaki Pena to supply slight comfort to the hosts.
Lopez hit the bar late on as Barcelona completed with 5 objectives for the fourth time this season, and have scored a exceptional 55 in 16 matches throughout all competitions.
“We at all times can enhance however what I’ve to say is I’m actually completely satisfied,” Flick advised Movistar. “They performed good, had been good with the ball, and likewise we pressed them and it is good to see that.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
