Not sure I can add much to what’s already been said. Excellent performance. Home match, assuming those count these days, and against Valladolid, but still. As someone else said, we could have hit double digit goals and really should have.
—Raphinha Man of the Match for me. Took a couple of his goals really well. What I really loved was after the goal early in the second half, at the restart he sprinted straight to their GK who had to hoof it up the park and thus turn it over. As I’ve said, I didn’t think he’d be this good on the left, but he’s just excelled out there. I’d still go after Nico, but that whole saga is rather forgettable at this point.
—Lamine just looks better and better. What is this kid’s ceiling? Is this it? If it’s not, look out.
—Lewandowski is much better now that he’s got support up top. Really nice assist today. Like I’ve been saying, I think his goal tally will be better this season. That said, I keep thinking about a couple of strikers who might be available next Summer and how they would slot into this offense.
—2 matches in and Olmo has 2 goals. To go with that though, 3 posts/crossbars. He has immediately slotted in. How many signings can we say that for? He just adds that element of danger and support to the front three which opens up space for Lewandowski and Co and gives the midfielders more passing options.
—I thought Pedri was really good again even though he didn’t show up with a goal contribution.
—Cubarsi looked really good again. As good as that assist was, there was another of what is almost his signature challenges that got me off my feet.
—Shout out to Balde who I thought played well. Very key in this side. Curious if we still had Aznou at the club or if Valle didn’t go out on loan how they’d do. Hopefully he stays healthy.
—Ferran getting a goal was great to see as he’ll have to provide cover as the season goes on.
—Crazy when you think of the players who are out injured. Other side of that coin, think of the players who don’t play when they return and the players who already aren’t playing. Curious to see what happens in the January window.
Finally, have to give credit to the man who makes all of the above possible. Hans Dieter. Flick has really done a job so far. Comes in to a massive club after some time off and after the club is coming off a bad season. Gets very little by way of the transfer market, without multiple key players due to injury and a brand new league. Yet he doesn’t complain, gets to work and hits the ground running. And what is he doing after the match? Has his arm around Hector Fort who never got subbed on.
