Barcelona sit top of LaLiga with a perfect record, yet Hansi Flick is refusing to let his squad settle. The 4-2 victory at Levante on September 13 extended their winning run to six games in all competitions, but Flick was pointed in his post-match assessment, describing it as "not our best game" and warning that standards must rise. That message carries weight given how freely the Blaugrana have scored this season, with 17 goals across their last five matches alone.

Lamine Yamal was again central to the win, scoring twice against Levante to equal a Lionel Messi record for consecutive braces in La Liga. His performance prompted the 19-year-old to make a bold Ballon d'Or claim, naming himself and Kylian Mbappe as the two best players in the world. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has also backed a Spanish player to win the award this year, with Yamal cited as a future winner. The teenager did add, though, that he was dissatisfied with his own performances at the World Cup despite helping Spain lift the trophy.

New signings Rodri and Anthony Gordon are adding depth to the squad. Rodri has urged the club to prioritise tactical discipline over flair in Europe, while Gordon, still waiting for his first Barcelona goal, has drawn praise from Flick for his overall contributions. With Racing Santander visiting Spotify Camp Nou on September 16, the focus now turns to whether Barcelona can sharpen the performance level their coach is demanding.