In a La Liga rout that reaffirmed Barcelona's dominance and quieted whispers of a post-Xavi slump, Ferran Torres emerged as the unlikely hero, scoring a clinical brace to dismantle Getafe 3-0 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The 25-year-old forward, often maligned as a squad player in Hansi Flick's revolution, provided the "bite" Barca desperately needed up top, especially with Robert Lewandowski nursing a minor knock. Complementing Torres' sharpness was Marcus Rashford, the on-loan Manchester United exile, who notched his second assist in as many games—a pinpoint cutback for Dani Olmo's sealer—in a performance that hinted at his redemption arc under Flick.
The "derbi barceloní" against Getafe was billed as a banana-skin fixture, with Jose Bordalas' side known for their dark arts and counter-punch. But Barca, fresh off a Champions League brace from Rashford against Newcastle, set the tone early. Playing at their temporary home amid Camp Nou renovations, the Blaugrana dominated possession (68%) and suffocated Getafe's midfield press. The opener arrived in the 18th minute: Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old prodigy, skinned two defenders on the right before clipping a cross to the back post. Torres, timing his run to perfection, volleyed home with venom—his fourth goal of the season and first in league play since April. The strike silenced the 1,200 traveling Getafe fans and ignited the 40,000-strong Catalan faithful.
Torres wasn't finished. In the 34th minute, Raphinha—starting centrally behind Torres—launched a 60-yard diagonal from his own half, exploiting Getafe's high line. The Brazilian beat the offside trap by a whisker, squared to Torres unmarked eight yards out, and the Valencian slotted low past David Soria. 2-0.
It was a goal straight out of Flick's playbook: verticality meets precision. Torres' brace—his first since a 2023 hat trick against Sevilla—showcased his predatory instincts, winning 5/6 duels and registering an 8.7 Opta rating. "Ferran's got that shark mentality," Flick quipped post-match. "When Lewy's out, he steps up—no excuses."Getafe, reduced to 10 men after Javi Muñoz's rash challenge on Pedri in the 41st, offered fleeting resistance. An early second-half curler from Borja Mayoral forced Marc-André ter Stegen into a reflex save, but Barca's defense, anchored by Ronald Araujo and Jules Koundé, held firm (zero big chances conceded). Rain lashed the pitch, turning it into a slip-and-slide, but the hosts adapted seamlessly.
Enter Rashford, benched for arriving late to Sunday's team meeting—a Flick edict that's already "punished" Raphinha and Koundé. Subbed on at halftime for the booked Brazilian (involved in a first-half dust-up), the Englishman wasted no time. In the 63rd minute, Rashford exploited space on the left, bursting past Omar Alderete before pulling back a low cross from the byline. Olmo, arriving late, side-footed home from 12 yards. Assist No. 2 for Rashford in La Liga, following his midweek Champions League double. His heat map showed 4.1 km covered in 45 minutes, with 3/4 dribbles completed and a 92% pass accuracy. "Marcus is settling," Flick said. "That assist? Vision. He's earning trust."
The clean-sheet victory—Barca's fourth in five league games—moves them to 13 points, two behind leaders Real Madrid. Torres' bite was crucial: with Lewandowski limited to 20 minutes off the bench, his hold-up (7/9 won) and finishing silenced doubters. Olmo's goal, his third in two weeks, underscored the midfield depth, while Yamal's assist tally hit five.
Rashford's journey, though, adds intrigue. On loan after a turbulent United spell, he has three goals and two assists in six Barca outings. The benching was "a wake-up," per sources, but his response—including a 90th-minute chance saved by Soria—shows maturity. "It's about consistency," Rashford posted on Instagram. "Grateful for the minutes."Getafe (2-1-3, 7 points) seethed over the red card, but Bordalas praised his side's spirit: "We frustrated them for 60 minutes." Barca's fluency, though, was undeniable—18 shots, 7 on target, and an xG of 2.4.
Flick's Barca is reborn: pragmatic yet poetic, with Torres providing edge and Rashford flair. As Camp Nou's return looms, this "stroll" signals silverware intent. Madrid awaits next week—if Torres bites and Rashford creates, the Clásico could be Blaugrana fireworks.
Torres wasn't finished. In the 34th minute, Raphinha—starting centrally behind Torres—launched a 60-yard diagonal from his own half, exploiting Getafe's high line. The Brazilian beat the offside trap by a whisker, squared to Torres unmarked eight yards out, and the Valencian slotted low past David Soria. 2-0.
It was a goal straight out of Flick's playbook: verticality meets precision. Torres' brace—his first since a 2023 hat trick against Sevilla—showcased his predatory instincts, winning 5/6 duels and registering an 8.7 Opta rating. "Ferran's got that shark mentality," Flick quipped post-match. "When Lewy's out, he steps up—no excuses."Getafe, reduced to 10 men after Javi Muñoz's rash challenge on Pedri in the 41st, offered fleeting resistance. An early second-half curler from Borja Mayoral forced Marc-André ter Stegen into a reflex save, but Barca's defense, anchored by Ronald Araujo and Jules Koundé, held firm (zero big chances conceded). Rain lashed the pitch, turning it into a slip-and-slide, but the hosts adapted seamlessly.
Enter Rashford, benched for arriving late to Sunday's team meeting—a Flick edict that's already "punished" Raphinha and Koundé. Subbed on at halftime for the booked Brazilian (involved in a first-half dust-up), the Englishman wasted no time. In the 63rd minute, Rashford exploited space on the left, bursting past Omar Alderete before pulling back a low cross from the byline. Olmo, arriving late, side-footed home from 12 yards. Assist No. 2 for Rashford in La Liga, following his midweek Champions League double. His heat map showed 4.1 km covered in 45 minutes, with 3/4 dribbles completed and a 92% pass accuracy. "Marcus is settling," Flick said. "That assist? Vision. He's earning trust."
The clean-sheet victory—Barca's fourth in five league games—moves them to 13 points, two behind leaders Real Madrid. Torres' bite was crucial: with Lewandowski limited to 20 minutes off the bench, his hold-up (7/9 won) and finishing silenced doubters. Olmo's goal, his third in two weeks, underscored the midfield depth, while Yamal's assist tally hit five.
Rashford's journey, though, adds intrigue. On loan after a turbulent United spell, he has three goals and two assists in six Barca outings. The benching was "a wake-up," per sources, but his response—including a 90th-minute chance saved by Soria—shows maturity. "It's about consistency," Rashford posted on Instagram. "Grateful for the minutes."Getafe (2-1-3, 7 points) seethed over the red card, but Bordalas praised his side's spirit: "We frustrated them for 60 minutes." Barca's fluency, though, was undeniable—18 shots, 7 on target, and an xG of 2.4.
Flick's Barca is reborn: pragmatic yet poetic, with Torres providing edge and Rashford flair. As Camp Nou's return looms, this "stroll" signals silverware intent. Madrid awaits next week—if Torres bites and Rashford creates, the Clásico could be Blaugrana fireworks.
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