BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 28: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates a goal with Fermin Lopez during the Spanish league, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Spotify Camp Nou stadium on February 28, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images

At this stage in the season, you have to take things a game at a time.

Barcelona has been hot and cold of late, but there is reason to believe the future is bright in the aftermath of a Lamine Yamal masterclass, alongside the return of Pedri.

Against Villarreal, we saw the very best of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.

Attack after attack, which resulted in four goals, while their opponents, a formidable goal scoring team, could barely generate offense.

The intensity was high, the pressing was effective, and the game from start to finish was never in doubt.

Of course, you love to see that Lamine Yamal, the Blaugrana superhero, took the reins and became the protagonist that many expect him to be. For Barcelona to be at their best, they need their most dynamic player to be involved and influential throughout. Everything else follows.

Indeed, for that to work, the supporting cast needs to bring the energy, and take control of the match.

Barcelona smothered Villarreal, and for that, you have to give credit to all eleven players.

Raphinha isn’t at his goal scoring best, but as always, his spirit sets the tempo. Fermín López, Dani Olmo, and Marc Bernal were a collective ball of energy in the midfield. From there, the defensive line was more secure, and were able to take care the threats that came their way.

If there’s a game that helps illustrate Hansi Flick’s vision for how the system should work, this one is a good example.

Perhaps it’s not realistic to expect Barcelona’s intensity to be this consistent in every game, and of course, every opponent will throw something different at you, and the players will always have to be ready to adapt and problem solve.

Still, such a convincing victory over the third best team in Spain should give Barcelona all the confidence they need with the challenges that are on the horizon.

It’s probably expecting too much for the Blaugrana to reverse a four goal deficit against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, but my hope is that they will come out with intention to make the Colchoneros sweat. Afterall, there could be a rematch in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and Barcelona will want to prove, to themselves above all else, that they are still a threat to be reckoned with.

With Lamine Yamal and Pedri on the field, anything is possible. Especially when their teammates are locked in and ready to perform their roles too.

It’s encouraging to see that Flick can turn to his bench, and that they are starting to fill in so well in those games and moments when their number is called.

The first game without Frenkie de Jong was mission accomplished for Marc Bernal. Going forward, however, it may be necessary to replace Frenkie by committee.

Regardless, the foundation and formula is there for Flick and his team to be ambitious and aim high for the trophies that are in front of them.

For that to be possible, they can’t let their foot of the gas. Now is the time to generate momentum and confidence.

If Lamine Yamal and Barcelona can build on this performance, Spain and the rest of Europe beware.