Hansi Flick continues on with his dream start as he has won 3 out of his first 3 games. Barcelona have finally defeated Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio de Vallecas for the first time after 2018. Here’s our player ratings for the game.
Ter Stegen: 3/10
Conceding a horrendous goal at his near post in the first 10 minutes of the game and giving the opposition the lead, Ter Stegen made winning this fixture a far more difficult endeavour.
His costly errors have become a recurring theme and the German has become nothing but a burden on the team.
Jules Kounde: 6/10
Far from his most defensively potent performance considering he had seemed to prioritise contributing in attack. This put further responsibility on Cubarsi to cover additional spaces left behind whenever Vallecano countered.
Although he provided good offensive support on the right flank, he lacked the execution to make any meaningful contributions and was exceptionally wasteful in the Final Third.
Inigo Martinez: 7.5/10
Solid performance where the Spaniard fulfilled the duty of being distributively efficient. However, Inigo lacked his usual defensive rigour as he only emerged victorious in 3 of his 6 total duels. Nevertheless, he made some goal preventing interventions in the final 15 odd minutes of the game and proved to be immensely clutch for the Catalans.
Pau Cubarsi: 7.5/10
At the tender age of 17, Cubarsi fulfilled the role of being the team’s primary outlet when playing out of the back while also defensively covering for his right back. To add onto this, he was also defensively exceptional as he cleared almost all of Vallecano’s aerial threat as exemplified by his 4 clearances.
Gerard Martin: 6/10
Making his first start in the first team, Gerard Martin failed to fulfill the offensively invasive presence of Balde. Nevertheless, he provided defensive cover through a disciplined sense of defensive positioning while also proving to have the possession retaining abilities required.
Marc Bernal: 8/10
Bernal adds yet another classy performance to his impressive run of form proving that he has all the ingredients to become a regular starter during Hansi Flick’s debut season. With his ability to consistently recover possession, Barcelona’s counter press worked immaculately.
Bernal provided the perfect defensive cover which allowed his fellow midfielders to play in far more advanced positions on the pitch. His possession retention abilities cannot go unnoticed as he had a highly impressive 88% passing accuracy with his high volume of passes.
Pedri: 8.5/10
After his greatly impressive showing against Bilbao, Pedri delivered yet another masterclass as he dictated Barcelona’s creative output. Taking upon the challenge of fulfilling one of the most important responsibilities in Barca’s midfield, Pedri did not let down his peers as he continued to provide his forwards with consistent service.
However, it was his outstanding finish after receiving Raphinha’s pass that brought Barca back to equalise which ultimately fired their stunning comeback in a stadium they have found fairly challenging over the years.
Raphinha: 8/10
Raphinha was his usual creative self yet again as he made most of his impact on the left wing where he crafted 2 major chances. One of which was completely missed by Lewandowski, while the other was pounced upon in emphatic fashion by Pedri.
However when the Brazilian tried to provide a creative impetus through central areas, he was greatly wasteful and lost possession in many threatening attacks.
Ferran Torres: 5/10
An almost non existent presence on the pitch, Ferran failed to make any contributions in the game and was distinctly overshadowed by Raphinha’s presence in what was considered to be his flank.
Lamine Yamal: 8.5/10
When Barcelona struggled in the first 10 minutes of the game and conceded, Yamal was the one who brought them back into the game with his sheer individual mastery of the ball in tight knit spaces on the right flank.
Completing 6 out of his 10 take ons along with his 4 chances created, he was an absolute menace for the Vallecano defense to contain. Ultimately, it was his pass to Dani Olmo that led to the match winning goal and ensuring that the 17 year old has contributed to a goal in each of the first three games.
Robert Lewandowski: 5.5/10
Fairly absent in the final third and not providing his usual runs in the box, Lewandowski had a tough night as he also missed one of the easiest chances of the game.
Unfortunately, he scored an exceptional goal demonstrating great technical poise but it was controversially ruled out when reviewed by the referee on replays due to a foul committed earlier in the play.
Substitutes
Dani Olmo: 9/10
Marking his highly anticipated debut with a masterclass performance in the second half, Dani Olmo has proven that he belongs to play on this platform. Every touch of his radiated confidence and led to the progression of the ball. Remarkable ball control and a nifty change in direction allowed for him to carry the ball for long distances across the pitch.
Additionally, he recognised the areas of abundant spaces in front of him and swiftly moved the ball in these areas. Most impressive was his sheer audacity as he hit the crossbar with an explosive strike and then marked his debut with a precise finish at the far post off his weak foot to win the game for the Catalans.
Alejandro Balde: 6.5/10
Fermin Lopez: N/A
Pau Victor: N/A
Good work keep it up!