Barcelona’s Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal make La Liga history

Barcelona have scored 17 goals in their opening four La Liga matches, with Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal accounting for 14 of them.

Their combined total is the highest by any attacking trio in the first four rounds of La Liga since the 1958-59 season, when Real Madrid’s Alfredo Di Stefano, Jose Maria and Ferenc Puskas scored 15 goals between them.

Raphinha has been the leading figure in Barcelona’s fast start. The club captain has scored six goals and provided one assist in four league appearances since being moved into a central striking role, making him La Liga’s leading scorer.

The Brazil international has also joined an exclusive group in Barcelona’s history. He is only the third player to score in each of the opening four league rounds, following Ladislao Kubala in 1953 and Lionel Messi, who achieved the feat in both the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.

His influence has extended beyond his finishing. Raphinha has become a central part of Barcelona’s attacking production, helping the side reach the penalty area and contribute to the construction of attacks.

Fermin also among league’s leading scorers

Fermin Lopez, 23, has scored four goals and supplied two assists across the first four rounds. That return places him third in the La Liga scoring standings.

He is the first Spanish player to score four goals in the opening four league matches since Cesc Fabregas did so during the 2011-12 campaign.

Fermin has operated as an advanced playmaker alongside Dani Olmo. His contribution has involved more than finishing chances, with his movement into the penalty area and ability to create opportunities adding another dimension to Barcelona’s attack.

At 19, Lamine Yamal completes the trio. He has scored four times and registered one assist, while also creating four clear chances and completing 16 successful dribbles – an average of four per match.

According to Catalan newspaper Sport, Yamal’s impact has not been limited to his goalscoring. He has begun to turn his ability to beat defenders, draw opponents towards him and open up space for team-mates into a greater number of direct goal contributions.

Gordon adds further attacking threat

Barcelona also have another important attacking option in Anthony Gordon. The England international has not matched the trio’s scoring figures, but he has emerged as one of the team’s leading creators.

Gordon has provided four assists in four matches and also played a part in an own goal against Rayo Vallecano.

The significance of that record is underlined by comparison with his final season at Newcastle United, when he provided five assists in 46 appearances.

Barcelona’s attacking strength has been supported by contributions from midfield. Pedri scored against Valencia, taking his total for the club to 29 goals and moving him into Barcelona’s top 100 all-time scorers.

Four members of the current squad now feature on that list. Raphinha is 33rd with 81 goals, Yamal is 61st with 52, Fermin is 88th with 36 and Pedri occupies 100th place with 29.

The figures underline the depth of Barcelona’s early-season attacking output, with Raphinha, Fermin and Yamal responsible for the bulk of the team’s record-breaking haul during the opening four La Liga fixtures.