FC Barcelona secured the all-important three points in Hansi Flick’s first official game in charge. Despite playing at a difficult venue that has notoriously caused problems for the Catalans and going behind in the first half, Barcelona showed resilience and determination, ultimately coming from behind to clinch a crucial victory. Here’s our Player Ratings for the matchup.
Ter Stegen: 4
Following a mediocre pre-season campaign, Ter Stegen struggled to find his form in the first half. He failed to read Hugo Duro’s shot, resulting in a goal conceded in the 44th minute. Additionally, he clumsily gave the ball away but was bailed by Pau Cubarsi’s goal line clearance.
Jules Kounde: 7
Held his own well under pressure and played out from the back responsibly. However, Kounde struggled to keep Diego Lopez at bay for the entirety of the game and was not his usual self while playing long balls.
Inigo Martinez: 5
The Spanish center-back failed to form a solid partnership with Pau Cubarsi in the heart of the defense and looked out of place covering large distances.
Considering Barcelona’s high-risk reward style with excessive verticality, instances of Inigo Martinez tottering back in transition were worryingly a recurring sight. He also did not close down Duro from scoring a comfortable header.
Pau Cubarsi: 8
While Cubarsi was certainly also at fault for not reading his partner’s intentions well, he made two defining blocks in the first half, one of which was a goal-line clearance. He was walking on thin ice after picking up a yellow card though and thus came off.
Alejandro Balde: 8
Balde has looked incredibly sharp since returning from his injury. Despite occasionally leaving the back line exposed due to his constant overlapping runs on the left, his efforts paid off when he delivered a precise cross to Lamine Yamal, setting up Lewandowski’s equalizer.
Fatefully, his night was cut short after picking up what looked to be a muscle injury. Given Balde’s unique profile, his return could not come sooner.
Marc Bernal: 7
Bernal was situated alongside Marc Casado but mostly exercised his duties as a single pivot, often dropping deep to form a back three in possession.
The youngster struggled to conceal cracks off the ball or impose himself as a duel winner, but his progression and long balls offered several solutions. Showed a lot more panache after the proceedings.
Marc Casado: 8
Casado enjoyed a solid first half, winning balls back and completing all four of his long balls. The young midfielder generated some promising chances and was a bundle of energy in the press. He nearly capped off his dream debut with a goal in the dying embers of the game.
However, Flick erred by allowing him to advance too far up the pitch, which placed a significant burden on Bernal.
Raphinha: 7.5
Things did not quite come off for the Brazilian on the night but he made sure to give his best efforts in every action. In the second half, he won a penalty which Lewandowski smartly converted.
Lamine Yamal: 8
Always an avenue of progression, Yamal made things happen when the ball was nestled at his mystic feet. Admittedly he struggled to complete takeons in the first half, but he made his mark by assisting Lewandowski.
The 17-year-old also played in a terrific pass for Ferran Torres, which he should have been awarded an assist for.
Robert Lewandowski: 8.5
Even if his touches on the ball were minimal, Lewandowski’s presence was seen on the scoreboard and that is what Barcelona precisely requires of him.
Latching onto Yamal’s cut-back in the first half and scoring an effortless penalty past UEFA Euro star Giorgi Mamardashvili, Lewandowski scored a brace in his first game of the season.
Ferran Torres: 4
Ferran’s impact was largely negligible during his time on the pitch. Apart from making some well-timed runs, he did not add much value to Barcelona’s possessional play, excluding a good pass that nearly led to Raphinha scoring. Moreover, the Spaniard missed a huge one-versus-one chance in the second half.
