New Delhi: FC Barcelona put on a dazzling display of attacking football in their emphatic 5-0 victory over Valencia in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. The dominant performance, led by a hat-trick from Ferran Torres, highlighted the aggressive and high-tempo style that manager Hansi Flick has been working to implement at the club. The win extended Barça’s unbeaten streak to 10 matches, underlining their growing momentum as they march towards silverware this season.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick was delighted with his team’s performance as the result not only secured a semifinal berth but also reaffirmed Barcelona’s lethal efficiency in front of goal. His team have now scored 109 goals in just 35 games across all competitions this season, which is just one short of the 110 goals they netted in the entire 2023-24 campaign. With a two-legged semifinal on the horizon, Barcelona joins Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Real Sociedad in the next stage, with the draw set to take place on Wednesday.
🎙️ HANSI FLICK: “I’m happy for [FerranTorres].” #ValenciaBarça pic.twitter.com/FdhGUfOxN7
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 7, 2025
Speaking after the match, Flick expressed his delight with the team’s performance, emphasizing the relentless hunger and fluidity in attack. “It is amazing and it is the style we want to play,” Flick told TVE. “The hunger this team has to always go after the next goal and then again and again is just remarkable. It was a great result which was very important for us, I’m very happy with the way the team played,” Flick said.
Barcelona’s dominant win secures a spot in the last four
Barcelona wasted no time asserting their authority at the Mestalla. Within the first 30 minutes, the Catalan giants had already built a commanding four-goal lead, leaving Valencia stunned and struggling to cope with the intensity of Flick’s side. Flick had rested several of his key players for the game with regular starters like Ronald Araujo, Robert Lewandowski, and Dani Olmo all being named on the bench.
The absence of star striker Robert Lewandowski did little to hinder Barça’s attacking output though, as Ferran Torres stepped up in his absence. The Spanish forward, who has battled injuries and inconsistency in recent months, played in the number nine position, replacing Lewandowski in the lineup and made the most of his opportunity by netting an impressive hat-trick.
🔥 FULL TIME!!!!! THROUGH TO THE COPA DEL REY SEMIFINALS! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NEdbJ2VJAr
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 6, 2025
Young midfielder Fermin Lopez also got on the scoresheet, capping off a brilliant all-around performance by Barcelona’s emerging talents. Flick rotated his squad significantly, offering opportunities to players who had not seen much game time, and they repaid his faith with a fluid, high-intensity performance. “We went out very well on the pitch from the start,” Flick noted. “I’m very happy for Ferran for his three goals. It’s exciting because he came from an injury and has gone through tough times. Ferran is showing his quality in his position as ‘9’.”
With this commanding win, Barcelona joined their bitter rivals Real Madrid in the final four of the tournament. Having already played them twice this season and one league fixture still remaining between the two, we could see another ‘El Clasico’ take place, this time in the Copa del Rey. The Blaugrana will know their opponents soon enough, when the semi-final draw takes place on February 12.
FC Barcelona booked their place in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 thrashing of Valencia despite playing a rotated squad, thanks to a first half hattrick from winger Ferran Torres. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
