Barcelona proved that Flick-ball is no fluke, staying true to their tradition of dominating the score-line by putting four past Real Madrid. Here are our Player Ratings from a historical Clasico.
Inaki Pena: 9
Barcelona’s unlikely hero, Pena, was a formidable presence between the posts. He made several crucial 1v1 saves, timed his advances off the line perfectly, and exuded confidence in every action.
Jules Kounde: 8
Against Vinicius, Kounde looked a cut above. He played a pivotal role in drawing Camavinga’s attention, which left Yamal isolated in 1v1 situations. Additionally, Kounde’s distribution and off-the-ball awareness were superb.
Pau Cubarsi: 9
Cubarsi proved to be an invaluable asset in the build-up, consistently breaking lines with ease. However, his ability to hold his position against some of the world’s best forwards and effectively execute offside traps was truly exceptional.
Inigo Martinez: 9
Won nearly all his duels and enabled Barca to bypass Real Madrid’s sporadic pressing triggers. Inigo’s long ball for Raphinha’s goal was simply sensational.
Alejandro Balde: 8.5
Balde was often caught exposed at the back in the first half, but he grew into the game remarkably. He had no trouble dealing with Bellingham both offensively and defensively. Eventually, provided a beautiful cross for Lewa.
Marc Casado: 9
Death, taxes, and Casado dominating the midfield: the three certainties of life. He was vital in recycling possession and found solutions when Madrid threatened most. After Frenkie came on, he had more time/space, which he availed to majestically assist Lewa.
Pedri: 9.5
Pedri was unsurprisingly a breath of fresh air on the ball, guiding the team’s tempo and creating opportunities However, his positioning off the ball and work ethic must be lauded; he seldom allowed Madrid to breathe in midfield.
Fermin Lopez: 7
Fermin excels at attacking the box and thrives between the lines, but he lacked the composure to overload the midfield and create numerical advantages. While he would have thrived in chaos, Frenkie’s control was far more beneficial.
Lamine Yamal: 8.5
After a ridiculous showing against Bayern, Yamal’s decision-making up front looked off. That said, the hallmark of a great player is the ability to score even when the game isn’t in their favor and his weak foot finish was nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Robert Lewandowski: 9.5
Lewandowski’s hold-up play wasn’t as sharp as mid-week, but he excelled at making runs behind Madrid’s defense after the break. He scored a stunning long-range goal and a precisely placed header but should have netted two more.
Raphinha: 9.5
Just another day in the office for Raphinha, who casually turned up in another big game. He was a massive threat in transition and had Vazquez second-guessing his every off-the-ball run. Assisted Yamal and scored a glorious chip.
