Nelly Furtado was onto something when she said that all good things come to an end. Barca’s 100% start to the season was brought to a screeching halt by the same side that ended City’s unbeaten start: PSG.
The two-time defending champs took some time to warm up in last night’s clash (they weren’t helped by the triple injury blow of Marquinhos, Kvaratskhelia and Dembelle). But Luiz Enrique’s side continue to prove that they are more than some of their parts. Sure, there are plenty of marquee names at their disposal. But the real star of the show is the team ethos that Enrique has cultivated since ending the ego-driven era of Mbappe, Messi and Neymar. As for Barca, this was probably not the greatest preparation ahead of what promises to be a fascinating El Clasico. In any event, here are my Barcelona player ratings.
GK: Joan Garcia- 8/10
I know, how on earth can a goalkeeper have 8/10 after losing 4-2? But consider the fact that PSG had a stunning 14 shots on target in the match. Garcia was a one-man show in the early stages, making four or five crucial saves before Barcelona had found their groove. Of all the goals, Vitinha’s was perhaps the only one he could have feasibly saved (he got his fingertips to it).
RB: Xavi Espart- 9/10
And to think, Xavi Espart only came into the team has cover for the injured Jules Kounde. Espart was sensational, limiting the dangerous Kvaratskhelia to pot shots while dealing with Doue when he was switched to the left. Produced a moment of magic to level matters, playing a clever one-two with Fermin Lopez before finishing emphatically. Never deserved to be on the losing side.
CB: Pau Cubarsi- 5/10
The teenager was exposed by PSG’s relentless off-the-ball movement. Should have got tighter to Doue for the opener and just lacked his usual authority throughout.
CB: Gerard Martin- 6/10
The superior centre-half on the night, Martin looked positively regal when Barca were on top in that 2nd half. He was stepping out of defence ala Ronald Koeman, propelling the team forward while always being in the right place to scupper counterattacks. But he was unfortunately part of a defensive unit that was torn asunder in the final 30 mins.
LB: Joao Cancelo- 4/10
Cancelo had a nightmare against Doue in that first half, caught in between his instinct to invert as his defensive responsibilities. Like Trent, Cancelo is one of those fullbacks who can go from sublime to ridiculous in the space of a week (last night veered dramatically toward the ridiculous).
CM: Pedri- 7/10
Pedri started a bit frantically, seemingly humbled by PSG’s press-resistant fluidity. But he grew into the game, producing a few lung-busting runs while holding down the fort against the likes of Vitinha and Neves. He weaved his way cleverly out of some tight situations, and I think Flick missed a trick bringing him off.
CM: Marc Bernal- 6/10
Marc Bernal was the de facto Rodri replacement, tasked with keeping things tidy while the more robust players surged forward. And I think he did quite well. Was anonymous going forward but did plenty of gritty, unsung grunt work in the midfield. The game changed when he and Pedri were yanked.
AM: Dani Olmo- 6/10
Started the game well before being forced to leave the pitch through injury. The game was still 0-0 when he left the field of play. He helped Barca weather PSG’s early storm, helping Pedri and co establish a bit of midfield dominance.
LW: Lamine Yamal- 7/10
A mediocre Yamal is still better than most players. And Yamal was nowhere near his best last night. He worked hard and enjoyed plenty of the ball, attracting Barca players to him like a swarm of bees. He just never quite had his best stuff in the final 3rd. That was until he scored a goal straight out of the Messi scrapbook.
RW: Anthony Gordon- 6/10
You can’t question the work rate of Gordon. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he just runs home from Paris tonight. The former Newcastle winger was a constant outlet and enjoyed some nice little moments. But Gordon unfortunately struggled to find his rhythm going forward, taking the potency out of a few promising Barca attacks. He just seemed to have too many competing ideas in the final 3rd.
STR: Raphinha- 4/10
Raphinha’s performance bore all the hallmarks of someone who has been rushed back into the team ahead of schedule. Sure, he got some minutes against Real Betis (21 in fact). But starting in a game this frenzied is a completely different proposition. He looked sluggish and his touch was non-existent.
Subs
Fermin Lopez (26’ for Olmo)- 7/10
Lopez looked electrifying when he entered the fray, occupying scary spaces between the lines that forced PSG players out of position. Played a textbook Barca one-two to set up Espart’s goal. His influence on the game waned heavily in the closing stages.
Gavi (60’ for Bernal)- 5/10
I just don’t think Hansi Flick should have made so many changes- particularly in midfield- at the same time. Bernal and Pedri were coping just fine with PSG when Flick decided to freshen things up. Gavi was like a lamb to the slaughter.
Rodri (60’ for Pedri)- 5/10
Clearly wasn’t fully fit. His reintroduction roughly coincided with PSG’s ascension in the match, upsetting the fierce midfield work done by the likes of Pedri.
Adeyemi (60’ for Raphinha)- 4/10
Looked lost on that left-hand side. To be fair, it’s hard to be too critical of him because PSG’s midfield turned on the style in the last half-hour. But he had an air of Rashford about him when he did get the ball, running into blind alleys and taking speculative long-range efforts. Poor.
Balde (74’ for Espart)- n/a
Barely noticed he was on the field. I think it’s tough to judge him walking into that environment for 20 mins.
