FC Barcelona only needed one half to secure the three points on the lawn of Deportivo Alavés (0-3). Thanks to a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski, the Catalan club already led by three goals at the break, during this 9th day of La Liga. The Blaugrana were able to slow down a bit after returning from the locker room, but were never really in difficulty. A look back at Hansi Flick’s player ratings!
Inaki Pena knows that he could very quickly find a place as an understudy after the arrival of Wojciech Szczesny. However, this did not prevent him from producing a beautiful copy this Sunday afternoon. Although he didn’t have many saves to make, he was quite reassuring.
Deportivo Alavés abused long balls and the FC Barcelona goalkeeper did not hesitate to go up a notch, to get out of his area and clear dangerous actions. He was also able to make a nice outing at the feet during added time in the first half.
To keep his clean sheet, he had a little success at the start of the second half, saved by his amount. He made a very good save 15 minutes from the end of the match. However, pay attention to his aerial outings, where he could sometimes have done better.
He was lined up to blow Jules Koundé. Hector Fort was very solid in his right lane. Danger only rarely passed through his side. The young 18-year-old talent was able to produce a convincing performance for his first start of the season with the Blaugrana. He will leave his place to Jules Koundé (NN) for the last 25 minutes.
It was undoubtedly Pau Cubarsi who had the most complicated part in the ranks of the Blaugrana. The young central defender of Barça almost made a mistake in the area, in the 25th minute of play, after a push on an opponent. He makes a few too many mistakes, sometimes unnecessary, like the one five minutes from the end of the match.
It was he who was fooled by Deportivo Alavés’ first disallowed goal just before the break. He is taken behind his back by his counterpart. We expect better from the young talent of 17 years old.
Inigo Martinez was much more visible than his friend in the central hinge. It was first of all he who made a very good opening behind the defense, shortly before the first quarter of an hour of play. He was also the author of a big save on the hour mark. , before the action is stopped for an offside position. Gerard Martin (NN) will return to his place at the end of the match.
Alejandro Balde clearly played his part in the left lane. His duet with Raphinha works wonderfully on this side. When the Brazilian winger moves into the middle, the full-back does not hesitate to go up. He certainly achieved what was asked of him perfectly in this La Liga match. It will be replaced by Frenkie de Jong (NN) for the last minutes.
Frenkie de Jong will have to find his best level to regain his place in the Barça environment. As we are accustomed to, Marc Casado delivered another very good performance with the Blaugrana. The 21-year-old midfielder doesn’t hesitate to take risks thanks to his passing skills. This paid off on the third goal, since it was he who found Eric Garcia in a good position, to throw Robert Lewandowski.
He started in the midfield with Marc Casado, but quickly moved up a notch after the injury to Ferran Torres. Pedri is still impressive with the ball. He launches Raphinha wonderfully on his team’s second goal. He plays against the opposing defense five minutes before the break, but his shot is too soft to worry the opposing goalkeeper.
Lamine Yamal failed to be decisive in this meeting. However, this is not why he had a bad game. Barça’s talent made their opponents dizzy on multiple occasions throughout the first period in particular. It was also during one of his rides that he obtained the free kick which allowed his team to open the score. Ansu Fati (NN) take his place for the last 25 minutes.
What a performance from Raphinha… If he started as an attacking midfielder, he was quickly repositioned on the left wing, after the injury to Ferran Torres. He gave himself a first assist in the 7th minute of play, sending a free kick to the head of Robert Lewandowski.
And what about the one made in the 22nd minute of play? He goes up the entire opposing half of the field and sends a precise ball into the feet of Robert Lewandowski, once again, who just has to push the ball into the net (22nd). In the process, he misses a face-to-face which could have further increased his score.
For the third time in a row, Ferran Torres started with FC Barcelona. However, he only stayed on the pitch for a few minutes. On a pass, the Spanish winger is injured and has to give way to Eric Garcia (7/10). His replacement was so important in the midfield. In addition to being valuable in recovery, he was the author of a very nice assist for Robert Lewandowski’s third goal (32nd).
What a start to the season from Robert Lewandowski! The Polish striker is set to panic all the counters in the coming months. He now has nearly 10 league goals. On the pitch at Deportivo Alavés, he scored a hat-trick. His first of the season!
He opened the scoring with his head in the 7th minute of play. He then took advantage of a caviar from Raphinha, 15 minutes later. Finally, he concluded his masterclass by scoring his third goal shortly after the half-hour mark.
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