Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona returned to winning ways in style with a 5-0 win against Young Boys in the Champions League at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Goals from Lewandowski, Raphinha and Inigo Martinez had put the game to bed by half-time, with Lewandowski grabbing a fourth early in the second half and Mohamed Camara putting through his own net late on.
Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado and Martinez all returned to Barcelona’s starting line-up after sitting out the 4-2 defeat at Osasuna – their first LaLiga loss of the season – while Frenkie de Jong was a surprise inclusion on the bench after an ankle injury.
It was all Barcelona in the opening stages and they took the lead after eight minutes when Yamal’s first-time pass played in Raphinha and although he may have been shooting, the ball found Lewandowski who could not miss from close range.
Young Boys, who sit second from bottom of the Swiss Super League after a poor start to the season, responded, but Joel Monteiro dragged an effort harmlessly wide in the 14th minute.
Jules Kounde’s long-range strike cleared the crossbar and a Ferran Torres shot lacked power as Barcelona continued to dominate.
Winger Ebrima Colley found himself with time at the back post from a rare foray forward from the visitors but he snatched at his effort and Raphinha made them pay moments later, drilling home the loose ball after Pedri’s shot had been blocked in the penalty area by a defender.
Martinez made it three in the 37th minute when Pedri’s free-kick picked out the defender and he nodded the ball into the bottom corner.
A TWO-GOAL NIGHT FOR LEWY BALL! 💥💥 pic.twitter.com/ibkzEX3Xgg
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 1, 2024
Barcelona started the second half in the same vein and were 4-0 up in the 51st minute. Raphinha’s deep corner was headed back across goal by Martinez for Lewandowski to turn the ball home from close in.
The home side had an array of young talent on the bench and 18-year-old Hector Fort was first to come on along with Ansu Fati as boss Hansi Flick looked ahead to the weekend clash with Alaves.
Monteiro saw a shot cannon off the crossbar, with Jaouen Hadjam’s follow-up blocked on the line by Casado as Young Boys went in search of a consolation.
Lewandowski and Yamal were withdrawn for the returning De Jong and Pau Victor and Barcelona added a fifth goal in the 81st minute through Young Boys skipper Camara’s own goal.
Andres Cuenca, 17, came on for his debut and it looked like he had played Monteiro onside as he raced through to score at the death, but VAR ruled it out and Barcelona kept their clean sheet.
