Barcelona extended their dominance in hostile territory by overcoming Red Star Belgrade with an assertive 5-2 scoreline. The Catalan giants have now moved into the top 8 of the Champions League with the best goal difference in the competition. Here are our Player Ratings from the game.
Inaki Pena: 6
Forced to retrieve the ball from his net twice, Pena couldn’t secure the clean sheet and made a total of zero saves. His tendency to rush off his line proved costly, as a moment of hesitation allowed Silas to capitalize and score the equalizer. Still, in fairness, he could not have done much about Red Star’s second goal.
Jules Kounde: 10
A stellar performance from the Frenchman, who excelled in both defense and attack. He was solid at the back, displaying sharp positioning and effectively shutting down Maksimovic.
In attack, however, Kounde was a class apart. He delivered a brilliant assist for Robert Lewandowski and just two minutes later set up Raphinha. Kounde eventually earned a hat-trick of assists with Fermin scoring off his cut-back.
Pau Cubarsi: 8
Few can match Cubarsi’s value in the build-up. He played out from the back comfortably, playing some delightful long balls and maturely operating in the high line. Moreover, the youngster won a large share of his duels. Was substituted in the 87th minute after a blow to his jaw, but hopefully it will not keep him out for long.
Inigo Martinez: 9
As always, he defended with diligence, winning most of his ground and aerial duels. In addition, Inigo Martinez completed all eight of his long balls, effortlessly switching the play. His most important contribution was a brilliant header in the first half.
Gerard Martin: 5
Replacing Alejandro Balde, Martin struggled to emulate the left-back’s defensive assurance and explosive ball-carrying. He played Red Star onside for their goal and was often a let-down with his first touch.
Marc Casado: 8.5
Just another day in the office for Casado who archetypically pulled the strings in midfield for Barcelona.
The 21-year-old was always eager to penetrate opposition lines and play through their pressure. Still, Casado’s most impressive attribute continues to be his intelligence and vigor off the ball. Well-positioned to win second balls, he rarely allowed Red Star to circulate possession freely.
Frenkie de Jong: 6.5
Frenkie handled the basics well and rarely made a mistake, but his lack of confidence clearly limited Barça’s rhythm. Paired with the defensively-minded Casado, he had the freedom to advance and dictate play but was often outshone by his partner in this role.
Pedri: 8
His name won’t glimmer on the scoreboard and the statistics will fail to do him justice, but Pedri once again orchestrated several influential plays in the final third.
After a relatively quiet first half containing minimal touches, he burst into life in the second and flaunted his quality. The Canary Islander’s pause and turn before Lewandowski’s second goal simply encapsulated his intelligence.
Lamine Yamal: 8.5
Yamal was a constant threat on the right flank, exploiting the space created by Kounde’s positioning. He showcased his finesse with a series of deft touches and sharp turns, crafting chances regularly and playing a significant role in many of the Catalans’ goals.
Robert Lewandowski: 9
Goals galore for Lewandowski, who appears obsessed with embracing the back of the net this season. While he should have converted some simple chances, he was well-situated to pounce as a poacher and secure a brace.
Raphinha: 9
Raphinha’s name being stamped on the scoreboard is beginning to feel like a pre-meditated ritual. The output machine recorded an incredible assist for Inigo Martinez through a set-piece and scored a screamer after the break to extend Barcelona’s advantage.
