Ferencvaros 0-3 Barcelona: 5 talking points as Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann shine in Lionel Messi's absence | UEFA Champions League 2020-21

Barcelona secured a thumping win over Ferencvaros on Wednesday
Barcelona secured a thumping win over Ferencvaros on Wednesday

Barcelona all but confirmed their status as UEFA Champions League Group G toppers as a first-half blitz ensured that they ran out 3-0 winners over Ferencvaros at the Puskas Arena on Wednesday.

The result leaves the Blaugrana only needing to avoid defeat to Juventus by a margin of three goals or greater to confirm their top spot in the group. Meanwhile, Ferencvaros could still grab a UEFA Europa League spot by beating Dynamo Kyiv on Matchday 6.

With Ronald Koeman resting Lionel Messi for this game, the onus was on Antoine Griezmann to deliver, and the Frenchman didn't disappoint as he scored the opener with a delicious backheel in the 14th minute.

Ousmane Dembele provided an inch-perfect cross for Martin Brathwaite to double Barcelona's lead in the 20th minute, and the Frenchman then scored from the spot to make it 3-0 inside half an hour.

Koeman made plenty of changes in the second half, and Barcelona eased off the gas, playing out the rest of the game in comfortable fashion.

On that note, here are the five major talking points from the game:


#5 Antoine Griezmann flourishes without Lionel Messi in Barcelona team

Antoine Griezmann has been in scintillating form for Barcelona recently
Antoine Griezmann has been in scintillating form for Barcelona recently

If Sunday's 4-0 win over Osasuna was all about getting Griezmann and Messi to shine together, Wednesday was a blueprint for Barcelona's future without their legendary Argentinian.

Griezmann flourished, playing off of Martin Brathwaite as a focal point, with plenty of intelligent touches, runs and some fantastic interplay.

His celebratory jig, after scoring with an audacious backheeled flick that nutmegged Ferencvaros keeper Denes Dibusz on the way to the net, was a testament to the freedom Griezmann is playing with now.

Koeman will hope his French star keeps this form up, with Barcelona the only team left in the UEFA Champions League with a 100% record. If the Blaugrana are to win any form of silverware this season, you can bet on Griezmann being crucial to that endeavour.


#4 Ferencvaros looked bereft of ideas

Ferencvaros Budapest never really threatened Barcelona on Wednesday
Ferencvaros Budapest never really threatened Barcelona on Wednesday

Ferencvaros are still in with a shout of qualification to the UEFA Europa League with a trip to Kyiv to come on the final matchday. However, on the back of this performance, their fans ought to not hold out much hope.

Despite Barcelona's injury crisis at the back, Ferencvaros never really threatened their much-vaunted opponents at home, with 300 of their 410 accurate passes coming in their own half. Pedro Neto only had two saves to make in the entire game, with Barcelona in control for much of the game.

Sergiy Rebrov has his work cut out for him as he oversees preparations for a final showdown against Dynamo Kyiv. Only a 3-3 draw or better will be enough to see his side pip the Ukrainians to 3rd place.

#3 Barcelona's second string pulled their weight

Barcelona were in fine form, with their second goal coming at the end of a 33-pass move
Barcelona were in fine form, with their second goal coming at the end of a 33-pass move

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has not been shy about the changes he's willing to make, and his players have responded to the gauntlet thrown down by their manager with aplomb.

Despite making changes, Barcelona were in fine form, with their second goal coming at the end of a 33-pass move, the most in the UEFA Champions League this season.

Martin Braithwaite had the fewest touches of any Barcelona player on Wednesday, but the Dane scored one and earned a penalty in a hard-working performance that was a fine reward for a player coming on as a substitute for Middlesbrough exactly two years ago.

He's now scored four goals in his last three games and is surely in Koeman's first XI plans.

There were other exceptional performances across the pitch, with Miralem Pjanic also dictating play with an understated elegance.

Trincao may not have had a great second half, but his willingness to work hard and track back is definitely a promising sign. Riqui Puig played 3 key passes in a 28-minute cameo, the most of any player on the night.

Clearly, Koeman has some excellent options at his disposal now.


#2 Oscar Mingueza brings calm to Barcelona's defence

Oscar Mingueza has looked assured alongside Clement Lenglet in the Barcelona defence
Oscar Mingueza has looked assured alongside Clement Lenglet in the Barcelona defence

Having made the step up from Barca B as an emergency option following injuries to Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Araujo, Oscar Mingueza has been barely noticeable in the 270 minutes of football he has played - a good trait for a centre-back.

The 21-year-old has looked assured alongside Clement Lenglet, looking every inch a Barcelona player with his unfussy positioning and calm passing on the ball. 3 clean sheets, with Barcelona scoring 11 in those games which he has played, are certainly impressive numbers to work with.

With Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba also turning in excellent performances, Barcelona's rejigged backline had gelled together instantly, although a true test will come against Juventus next week.


#1 Ousmane Dembele was Barcelona's MOTM

Ousmane Dembele proved why Barcelona paid a hefty price for his services with a scintillating performance
Ousmane Dembele proved why Barcelona paid a hefty price for his services with a scintillating performance

It's fair to say that Barcelona fans were waiting for such a performance from Ousmane Dembele for quite a while.

Having staved off injury for multiple weeks so far, the 23-year-old Frenchman turned in a performance full of incisive running and searing pace.

Such was the confidence coursing through Dembele's veins that he grabbed the ball away from Martin Brathwaite to score Barcelona's third goal from the spot. The captain's armband made its way to his shoulder later on, and it did not look out of place.

Dembele continued to drive Barcelona forward in the second half even after the rest of his teammates eased off, with multiple darts through the Ferencvaros defence that was unable to deal with him.

Indeed, the Frenchman could have scored thrice and grabbed two assists, had his finishing been better, so there's still room to improve - a terrifying thought for Barcelona's opponents.

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