Dani Olmo scored twice on his first start as he comes back from injury as Barcelona beat local rivals Espanyol 3-1 on Sunday to move nine points clear at the top of La Liga.
With second-place Real Madrid not in action after their game at Valencia was called off because of the devastating floods in the region, Hansi Flick’s soaring Barcelona stretched their lead on the champions.
Raphinha netted in between Olmo’s goals as Barcelona racked up a three-goal lead by the 31st minute at the Olympic stadium.
Javi Puado pulled one back as Espanyol fought hard to avoid a derby pummelling in the second half, with the visitors scoring three disallowed goals.
“I’m not happy about the second half… we lost concentration, lost tension, in tennis you say unforced errors, but it happens sometimes,” admitted Flick.
“Today I accept that because we won, but for Wednesday (in Europe) we need another level.”
Barcelona have started life under Flick in sensational form and after beating Bayern Munich and Real Madrid last week, earned their 10th win in 11 La Liga matches.
“I’m back, enjoying it, playing, winning, and I want more,” Olmo told DAZN after his first start since mid-September.
Barca’s marquee summer signing produced an electric display in the first half.
“He knows how to score goals, this was very important for us today,” Flick told reporters.
“This is also why we won this match, and these important three points.”
Teenage Spain star Lamine Yamal crafted his first goal with a delicious pass using the outside of his boot, which Olmo dispatched with an explosive finish.
Brazilian winger Raphinha lofted the second over Garcia when Marc Casado produced a fine pass which split Espanyol’s defence.
Olmo added his second with a powerful low drive but after that Barcelona were frustrated as neighbours Espanyol, 17th, battled well.
After two Espanyol strikes were rules out for offside, Puado found the net and then had another goal ruled out as the ball had gone out of play.
Injured Barcelona winger Ferran Torres, from Foios in the Valencia region, wrote in a post on Instagram that he did not have the strength to come to the stadium to watch the game because of the impact of the floods.
“I totally understand that, it was normal,” said Flick, who suggested on Saturday the whole round of fixtures should have been postponed.
“There are things that are more important than football, he chose that and it’s normal.”
