Barca Universal
Barca Universal
MATCH REVIEWS


Xavi started with a heavily rotated lineup tonight, benching five starters from arguably their best starting lineup. That, coupled with the fact that Cadiz were desperately looking for their first point of the season, did not fare well in favour of the visitors.



The first half was decent, with some players – like Alejandro Balde, Pique, and Gavi standing out. However, as a whole, the team looked uncoordinated for a majority of the 90.

Barcelona took a 2-0 lead by the 65th minute courtesy of Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski, but the match was interrupted 20 minutes later due to a medical emergency in the stands.

After it was deemed serious, the game was temporarily suspended, with the players sent back to the dressing room. Eventually, the person was escorted on a stretcher, out of the stadium, after which the players were asked to resume the match.

The Cadiz players looked understandably tame, but Barça took advantage of the same, scoring two more goals.


Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 6
Ter Stegen did not have to make a single shot today. More than sums up the game.

Hector Bellerin: 7
A rather clumsy debut for Bellerin, who was looked understandably shaky. Grew into the game in the second half and can definitely take credit for starting the move that led to the second goal.

Ronald Araujo: 6
Did not have an awful lot to do defensively but fared well the couple of times he did. His comfort with the ball is increasing every passing day.

Gerard Pique: 7
Pique clearly came into the game today wanting to prove something and achieved that to a large extent. The Spaniard was faultless with his passing, and read Cadiz’s attacks well enough to keep a clean sheet.

Alejandro Balde: 8.5
Balde was by far and large the best player for Barcelona tonight. He was intense defensively, and never ran out of ideas in the attack. Should have won a penalty, too. Unfortunately, this is not football, it’s La Liga.

Frenkie de Jong: 7.5
De Jong started the game well but petered out as it went on. He did break the deadlock, though, which is always an encouraging sign.

Sergio Busquets: 6.5
Somewhere between average and decent, not a lot can be taken away from Busi’s performance. Hopefully, his press resistance is better against Bayern, though.

Gavi: 8


Gavi x FdJ. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Gavi has somehow taken up his intensity another notch, which nobody thought would be possible. Recovered a ton of attacks, created attacks, and messed up the Cadiz midfield both on and off the ball.

Raphinha: 7
Raphinha could have gotten on the scoresheet early today, but hit his close-range shot onto the post. From there, his performance was largely topsy-turvy. A few hits and misses here and there, but more signs of promise in the second half as was heavily involved in both goals.

Memphis Depay: 6
Memphis showed a ton of promise in the opening minutes, but eventually faded out. Needs to maintain a higher, and more consistent level of intensity.

Ferran Torres: 5
Another very underwhelming game from Torres, who looked completely out of sync with his teammates.

SUBSTITUTES:

Pedri: 6.5
An extended rest would have been nice, but watching the golden boy play is always fun. Pedri’s impact cannot be measured, but he did increase the tempo of the game by multiple notches.

Ousmane Dembele: 8
Came on immediately after the goal and changed the game for good. Created three half chances, and started the move that eventually led to the

Robert Lewandowski: 8.5
How does it do it? Was brought at around 57′, and scored the third at 65′. Added an assist at 86′ then to set up Ansu Fati. And then another at 90+2′ to assist Dembele. An absolute machine.

Ansu Fati: 7
After a tame performance vs Viktoria Plzen, a goal today should do Fati a world of good.

Marcos Alonso: N/A
Did not do enough to warrant a rating on his debut.