Barcelona are riding a wave of renewed confidence after their emphatic 6-1 dismantling of Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou, a result that steadied nerves following back-to-back defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. The win lifted them to 30 points at the top of LaLiga, two clear of Atletico Madrid, and served as a timely reminder of the attacking firepower at Hansi Flick's disposal. Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez and substitute Anthony Gordon all contributed to a display that Flick described as the correct response to a difficult week.

Yet the victory could not disguise a deepening defensive crisis. With Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Xavi Espart all sidelined, Flick was forced to deploy Frenkie de Jong at centre-back and hand a senior debut to 20-year-old academy product Brian Farinas at right-back. The situation has accelerated the club's pursuit of Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni, though Inter are holding firm at a reported €70 million asking price. Separately, left-back Alejandro Balde is reportedly open to a January exit after public criticism from Flick and a complete absence from the starting lineup this season.

Attention now turns to Tuesday's Champions League fixture against Aston Villa at Camp Nou, where Flick's threadbare defensive options will face another serious test. How Barcelona manage their injury list and squad depth over the coming weeks may prove just as decisive as their results on the pitch.