Barcelona confirmed what we've known all along this season. There is a lot of depth on this team, and finally, up and down the roster, everyone is finding a way to deliver.
That's what's made this January so encouraging. It's a time when normally, you ask yourself what the club needs to do on the market to strengthen the team. Instead, the Barca players are answering the question. Nothing is needed. We're healthy, and across every position, the bases are covered.
Just a month ago, I had some questions. On paper, it looked like there was a lot of resources at Hansi Flick's disposal, with most of the injured players finally recovering and making their way back onto the field. But what we saw in some of those cameos was far from convincing.
We can now say that Gavi, who didn't feature against Valencia, is back to full fitness. He's putting in top performances, scoring goals, and showing his famous tenacity. It took a while for him, however, to convince the manager.
The same can be said for Frenkie de Jong, who opened the scoring against Valencia. Nothing seemed to be working for him in 2024 when he made his way back onto the field after extended time away. Now, we're seeing a player who's understanding the Flick assignment, and showing that he's determined to force his way into the lineup.
Fermin Lopez is another rising star who struggled to find a role under Flick. On Sunday, he was the man of the match, notching two goals and two assists. Seeing the back of the net is just what a struggling goal scorer needs to get out of his own head.
In addition to that, we're seeing the value of players like Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres. These are two guys who may not have lived up to expectations when they joined Barcelona from Manchester City under Xavi, but nonetheless are finding ways to make important contributions as members of the supporting cast.
Flick needed to know he could count on these guys. Barcelona, after all, is alive and kicking across the three major competitions. He will need to be able to rest Pedri, for example, from time to time, and know that the next man up is ready and hungry to make their mark.
Now, Valencia under Carlos Coberan (a Marcelo Bielsa disciple) is night and day compared to Getafe under José Bordalás. The 7-1 was an impressive showing, but it came against a very open, attack minded team. Surely, there will be more stubborn opponents ahead in La Liga.
It will be up to the manager to show he can set his team up for success tactically when the conditions call for it.
But this Barcelona is at their best when they are on the attack.
They may be seven points behind Real Madrid, but they have scored more goals, by far, than anyone else, with 59. Let's be honest, we all love attacking football. So if Barcelona falls short of the Spanish crown this season, let it happen while honoring the spirit of the beautiful game. Let us, at least, continue to be entertained.
But as it stands, there is a long way to go. There will certainly continue to be twists and turns.
What Flick and his long roster of players are truly building, is a foundation that will serve the club for a long time into the future.
It's amazing to see a clear identity. It looks like the Barcelona of old, while also expressing something entirely new.
On Wednesday, they'll get a chance to close out the opening round of the Champions League with a bang against Atalanta, while claiming an incredibly impressive second place finish in a table of 36 European heavyweights.
After that, the season really begins.
And Barcelona has all the firepower they need to compete for everything.