Barcelona coach Hansi Flick believes his side can still improve despite an impressive 5-0 win over Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday.
The Spanish champions have now won all four of their league matches this season. The victory also took Barcelona clear at the top after Real Madrid lost to Real Betis.
Lamine Yamal scored twice against Valencia. Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Pedri also found the net.
Barcelona have now scored 17 goals in four league matches. They have scored five goals in three of those games.
Flick was delighted with the display but believes there is still more to come.
“It was a fantastic game, nearly perfect,” Flick said. “We had control, we were dominant. This is what I want: to control the game and try to get spaces. We did it.
“But nothing is perfect. You can always improve. We can get better.”
Barcelona have shared the goals around despite going into the summer in search of a new striker.
Raphinha has scored six goals while playing as a makeshift striker. Yamal and Fermin have four each.
Barcelona lost Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford in the summer. They tried to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez but could not reach an agreement.
The club eventually brought in Gabriel Jesus. He made his Barcelona debut as a late substitute against Valencia.
Despite his team’s strong scoring form, Flick still sees the need for a natural centre forward.
“We normally need a real No. 9, this is clear,” he said. “But we have huge quality in the offence, also in the midfield. Everyone can score goals.
“I am also happy that Pedri scored today. For me, how we play, how we control the game and how we use the spaces is important, but we also have the quality in one-v-one situations and the finishing.”
Pedri also believes Barcelona have enough players capable of providing goals.
“People always want a striker that scores 40 goals a season, but we have a lot of players that can do that work,” Pedri told Movistar.
“We have a lot of players who will get in those positions to score goals. We won’t lack goals this season.”
The match also gave Barcelona a first look at Pedri and summer signing Rodri starting together in midfield.
The pair have played alongside each other for Spain. There had been questions over how well they would work together at club level, but Pedri enjoyed the experience.
“It has been said that we don’t work together, but it is very comfortable playing with Rodri,” Pedri said.
“He hardly ever loses the ball and that helps a lot in defence. We are going to have a good understanding that will get even better with more and more games.”
Rodri played for an hour on his first Barcelona start as he continues to build his fitness.
Flick praised the former Manchester City midfielder for the control and leadership he brings to the team.
“You can see everything he does with the ball. It makes sense,” Flick said. “It also gives the team structure in attack, but also without the ball.
“Rodri is amazing. Not only on the pitch, also in the dressing room, an absolute leader. It is good to have him.”
Flick also believes young midfielder Marc Bernal can learn from the competition around him.
“For him, this is a good situation. If he takes this opportunity in the right way, he will improve and get better and better,” Flick said.
