Hansi Flick’s Barcelona remained in the groove with their fine Champions League form as they comprehensively defeated Red Star Belgrade 5-2 to pull off their third win in four group-stage matches to remain firm as one of the in-form teams in Europe.
It was Barcelona that opened the score in the 15th minute, as Iñigo Martínez headed in through the perfectly placed cross by Raphinha. Red Star got back to life through Silas, who took advantage of a gap in defense to equalize. However, the joy did not last long, since Robert Lewandowski restored the advantage to Barcelona before the break, tapping in a rebound off the post.
Barcelona came out ablaze in the second half as Lewandowski quickly added his second. Raphinha finally added one of his own after a strong game, slotting into the bottom corner courtesy of an assist from Jules Koundé. The rout was completed with a strike from Fermín López-assisted again by Koundé, who tallied three assists for the night.
While Red Star’s Milson curled in a late consolation goal, it wasn’t enough to avoid a fourth successive UCL defeat. Barcelona, in turn, made it seven wins on the trot and a multi-goals victory in each to cement their place among the continental elite this season.
