And what if Dortmund is Barca's turning point?

Barcelona came back to life against Borussia Dortmund after many games as a shadow of themselves. This was a more dynamic team, that pressed, ran and fought, far from the anemia shown so many times this season. Everything was of course born at the boots of Leo Messi, whose fantastic game helped revitalise all corners of the team.

Thanks to him, Suarez and Griezmann - finally connected - scored and enjoyed themselves, and the team moved up two levels. Rakitic was back to his best as a starter and Umtiti managed two consecutive games. Sergi Roberto had his best game of the year. Ousmane Dembele, injured for the seventh time this year, deserves to be looked at as a separate case.

It's true that Barcelona gave up 15 minutes before the end, a habitual defect this season, but at least they recorded an important victory from where they can start to grow. In football turning points arrive many times when teams are close to the edge. The Barca we saw at Leganes was close to rock bottom. Yesterday seemed to be going in an opposite direction. It's essential they confirm those green shoots at the Wanda.

Es cierto que el Barça dio el partido por terminado 15 minutos antes del final, un defecto habitual este año, pero al menos edificó una importante victoria a partir de la cual puede empezar a crecer. En el fútbol los puntos de inflexión llegan muchas veces cuanto más cerca están los equipos del precipicio. El Barça de Leganés dio síntomas de tocar fondo. El de ayer pareció ir en la dirección opuesta. Pero como este equipo no es todavía fiable, es necesario que los brotes verdes se confirmen en el Wanda.