Barcelona player ratings vs Crvena Zvezda, Barcelona delivered a thrilling performance against Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday night, as the Catalan giants showcased their attacking prowess in a 5-2 Champions League triumph in Serbia. Jules Kounde led the way, tallying an impressive three assists, while Robert Lewandowski scored twice and Raphinha dazzled to secure the win.
Barcelona Player Ratings vs Crvena Zvezda: Jules Kounde’s Assists Steal the Show as Lewandowski & Raphinha Shine in Dominant Champions League Win
Barcelona quickly responded to Crvena’s early disallowed goal, taking control as Inigo Martinez headed in a brilliant free-kick from Raphinha to open the scoring. Although Crvena Zvezda managed to equalize through a stunning chip from Silas, Barca was relentless, and just before halftime, Lewandowski restored their lead, converting after Raphinha’s shot rebounded off the post.
The second half saw Barcelona’s offense in full flow. Lewandowski struck again, converting from Kounde’s expertly placed cross, and Raphinha extended the lead with a precise low finish. Kounde continued his assist spree, setting up Fermin Lopez for the fifth goal, sealing a comprehensive win. Although Crvena Zvezda netted a late consolation goal, Barca’s dominance was clear.
Player Ratings for Barcelona’s Champions League Victory
Goalkeeper & Defense
Inaki Pena (6/10): Made a few solid saves but was caught off-guard by Silas’ chip for Zvezda’s first goal. Could do little about Crvena’s second strike.
Jules Kounde (9/10): Star of the night with three assists, Kounde’s vision and positioning allowed him to execute two pinpoint cut-backs and a perfect cross to Lewandowski. A defensive powerhouse with offensive brilliance.
Pau Cubarsi (6/10): Reliable in duels but struggled with Zvezda’s pace. Suffered an injury in the second half and was substituted.
Inigo Martinez (8/10): Calm and commanding, he not only scored Barca’s opener with a well-placed header but also showcased excellent distribution and aerial control.
Gerard Martin (6/10): Defensively steady but caught out when Silas scored Zvezda’s equalizer.
Midfield
Frenkie de Jong (8/10): Controlled the midfield, consistently winning challenges and completing passes, providing defensive stability. Substituted after a strong performance.
Pedri (7/10): Kept possession under control, playing with his usual finesse. A quiet but effective presence, managing the game’s tempo.
Marc Casado (8/10): Showed exceptional work rate, making interceptions and driving Barca’s midfield forward. A reliable player who added intensity to the match.
Attack
Lamine Yamal (7/10): Created several scoring chances, including a beautiful through-ball for Raphinha. Impressive dribbling, though he couldn’t quite finish his attempts.
Robert Lewandowski (7/10): Scored twice with his poacher’s instinct, putting Barca in control. A few missed opportunities but overall a solid performance.
Raphinha (8/10): Showed his quality with a free-kick assist and goal, putting in a versatile performance that troubled Zvezda’s defense.
Subs & Manager
Dani Olmo (6/10): Replaced Raphinha but couldn’t impact the game to the same degree.
Fermin Lopez (7/10): Made an instant impact, scoring a fantastic goal and hitting the crossbar in his short time on the pitch.
Gavi (6/10): Brought on for de Jong, adding fresh energy and keeping Barcelona’s momentum steady.
Sergi Dominguez (6/10): A substitute for Cubarsi who was defensively solid but had little involvement.
Pau Victor (N/A): Came on for Lewandowski late in the game.
Hansi Flick (8/10): His tactical decisions paid off as Barcelona dominated the game. Despite minor defensive lapses, Flick will be pleased with his team’s attacking fluidity and creative output.
Key Takeaways
1. Jules Kounde’s Standout Performance: Kounde’s hat-trick of assists was a rare feat for a defender and showcased his versatility. His accurate passing and awareness made him Barcelona’s standout player and a key driver of Barca’s offense.
2. Lewandowski and Raphinha’s Form: Both Lewandowski and Raphinha delivered strong performances, combining clinical finishing and creative play to help Barca secure a comfortable win.
3. Hansi Flick’s Tactics: Flick’s aggressive tactics paid off, allowing Barca’s attack to shine, although minor lapses in defense will need addressing ahead of tougher challenges.
What’s Next?
With this victory, Barcelona strengthens its position in the Champions League group stage, gearing up for an upcoming La Liga match against Real Sociedad. Maintaining this attacking form will be essential as the Blaugrana look to keep their momentum going in both domestic and European competitions.
The only debt Barcelona haven’t paid yet. pic.twitter.com/pizFtxprkl
— Power (@Powerxfcb) November 4, 2024
FAQs
1. How many assists did Jules Kounde make against Crvena Zvezda?
Jules Kounde notched three assists, setting up goals for both Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez.
2. Who scored for Barcelona in the match?
Inigo Martinez, Robert Lewandowski (twice), Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez scored for Barcelona in their 5-2 win.
3. How did Robert Lewandowski perform?
Lewandowski scored two key goals, though he missed a few chances. His performance was essential to Barcelona’s victory.
4. Who managed Barcelona for this match?
Hansi Flick was the manager, employing aggressive tactics that allowed Barca to dominate offensively.
5. What’s next for Barcelona?
Barcelona will face Real Sociedad in La Liga, where they aim to maintain their recent run of impressive performances.
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