Hansi Flick had told reporters on Friday that Gabriel Jesus was ready. A day later, the Brazilian repaid him.

Jesus took a pass inside the Getafe box in the 29th minute and tucked a low right-footed finish inside the far post, doubling an advantage Anthony Gordon had opened with a long-range strike in the second minute. Jules Koundé added a third from a Lamine Yamal corner on 73 minutes, and Barcelona ran out 3-0 winners at the Camp Nou.

It was Jesus’s third goal since joining Barcelona on deadline day, and his first in a start.

The transfer itself already had the look of a bargain. Barcelona paid Arsenal £8.6m for the 29-year-old on 1 September, signing him until June 2029, and Jesus accepted a salary reduction to force the move through. In four years at Arsenal he scored 32 goals in 123 appearances, but a January 2025 knee injury wiped out most of his last 18 months in north London and left him with just three Premier League starts last season behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres.

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Flick had made clear before kick-off that Jesus was ready for a bigger job.

“The idea is for Gabriel Jesus to start. He has improved a lot, he has adapted, he understands our style of play and he is very strong inside the box,” the German said.

Afterwards, he was happier still.

“He’s a great footballer. He’s different from Rapha, but goalscoring is his strong point; he knows exactly which corner to shoot at. I’m very happy with him,” Flick said.

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Raphinha out until later this month

The opening Jesus got on Saturday was not supposed to come this soon. Barcelona captain Raphinha, who had scored 14 goals in all competitions before the international break, picked up a thigh problem on Brazil duty against Australia in late September and was withdrawn at half-time.

Medical tests showed only a minor muscle edema in the back of his right thigh with no muscle tear. Flick is still treating the issue carefully, pointing to Raphinha’s recent injury record.

“It is not a major injury, but it is something that must be taken into account because he had many injuries,” Flick said ahead of the Getafe match.

Raphinha will also miss the Champions League trip to Galatasaray on Tuesday, 13 October, with no return date confirmed.

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Eight wins from eight to open La Liga

The Getafe win was Barcelona’s eighth consecutive league victory, matching a club record set during the 2013-14 season. Flick’s side lead La Liga by five points with a goal difference of plus 27 from 34 scored and seven conceded, and travel to Istanbul on Tuesday for the Champions League group stage tie against Galatasaray.

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