Real Madrid – FC Barcelona: match notes

Qualified after its victory against Athletic Bilbao (2-0), FC Barcelona found its eternal rival in the final of the Spanish Super Cup, Real Madrid, victorious over Mallorca in the semi-final (3-0). For this Clasico, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Carlo Ancelotti and Hansi Flick did not cause any surprises and the trios Raphinha-Lewandowski-Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Jr-Mbappé-Rodrygo were logically aligned for this clash global.

The rest after this ad

And everything went very quickly in this Clasico with two first saves from Courtois in front of Lamine Yamal, then Raphinha, at close range (2nd and 4th). But a few moments later, Mbappé started a counterattack and was able to equalize on his own by calmly eliminating Balde (1-0, 5th). A short-lived advantage, since after a little Madrid domination, a deep ball from Lewandowski found Lamine Yamal, who could equalize with a personal exploit (1-1, 22nd).

New humiliation for Real Madrid

Barça then regained full control of the game and Camavinga was penalized for a foul on Gavi in ​​the open area… enough to allow Robert Lewandowski to give the Blaugranas the advantage (2-1, 36th), before Raphinha, on a long cross from Jules Koundé, made the break in this lively half (3-1, 39th). And the torture did not end there since Baldé, served by Raphinha, could bring the score to 4-1 (45th + 10).

The rest after this ad

The second period started again on the same basis, with Rodrygo finding the crossbar (47th). And behind, Raphinha still played Tchouaméni to humiliate Real Madrid (5-1, 48th). The match then got even more heated after a hazardous exit from Szczesny, who was sent off by hooking Tchouaméni (56th). And behind, Rodrygo deceived Peña with a magnificent free kick (5-2, 60th). Enough to predict a crazy end to the match, but Barça held on and finally won to win their 15th Spanish Super Cup. No third title this season for Real Madrid at the end of this crazy match.

– man of the match: Raphinha (8.5): the Brazilian had one of his best matches of the season. He was a constant danger for Real Madrid’s defenders. He could have scored from the start of the match with a header well saved by Courtois (4th), but finally beat the Belgian, again with a header, shortly before half-time (39th). After seeing Rüdiger and Tchouaméni dance, he then scored a double after returning from the locker room (48th). A great match from one of the best players of the season. Replaced by Torres (79th).

The rest after this ad

Real Madrid

– Courtois (5) : the Belgian goalkeeper was quickly called upon with a shot from Yamal which he was able to repel despite the rebound (2nd). He did it again two minutes later with a monstrous save in front of Raphinha alone at the penalty spot. Clearly two decisive saves since Mbappé scores immediately. But he was later abandoned by his team. He can’t do anything on the flat of Lamine Yamal’s precise foot then, on Raphinha’s head, on Baldé’s cross shot, on Lewandowski’s penalty and on Raphinha’s face-to-face.

– Vazquez (2) : it begins with a big marking error on Raphinha which could have been costly. In great pain, he showed shortcomings in the defensive sector. It is again he who completely lets go of Raphinha’s marking on Koundé’s long cross. Offensively, he also made the wrong choices. In short, a catastrophic match on his part. Replaced at 48 by Asencio (4). The young player trained at the club brought his combativeness and was not really called upon since his team had a numerical superiority.

The rest after this ad

– Tchouaméni (2) : in central defense, the Frenchman had clients in front of him. In the duel, we felt his lack of experience in the face of Lewandowski’s back-to-goal play. He was eliminated very easily by Lamine Yamal on his goal and was completely swept aside by Raphinha on several occasions. A totally missed match on his part. Replaced by Luka Modric in the 64th. The Croatian made a very poor entry. In physical pain, he was off base in all his choices.

– Rüdiger (2) : the German defender absolutely missed his match. And this was due to big placement errors with Tchouameni. He was never in sync with his teammate and this created huge gaps. He goes out for no reason on Lewandowski which opens up space for Yamal. Nervous and annoyed, he increased the number of fouls on Lamine Yamal. Positioned on the front of the attack in the final minutes, he showed far too much technical waste.

– Mendy (2) : in the tough from the start of the match against Lamine Yamal. Well behind the equalizing goal of the same Lamine Yamal. The Frenchman showed a worrying face in this meeting and suffered enormously. He left spaces and was unable to stop his opponents in the evening. A match without. Replaced in the 75th by Fran Garcia which did not weigh.

– Valverde (4) : the Uruguayan international was in pain this Sunday evening. But it’s mainly because his team left monstrous spaces that he had to compensate for during 90 minutes. He made several decisive comebacks but it was not enough to maintain his team. Placed back in the right lane of defense at the exit of Lucas Vazquez. He tried to bring offensively. In vain.

– Camavinga (3) : the Frenchman who was the only one present in the duel at the start of the match showed too much commitment when intervening on Gavi. A gesture punished with a penalty that Lewandowski transformed. Then, he made numerous clumsy interventions and could have been expelled as he was so close to the limit each time. Replaced in the 46th by Ceballos (4). The Spanish midfielder touched more balls and brought his technical mastery but did not succeed in contributing offensively even in numerical superiority.

– Rodrygo (4,5) : on his right lane, the Brazilian was initially transparent or almost. But then, strangely, when his team was in trouble, he was the only one who knew how to exist. He could have scored a sublime goal straight after the locker room, but his shot ended up on Szczęsny’s bar. He then reduced the gap with a very nice free kick to make his team dream. Then he failed to make the differences necessary to believe it.

– Bellingham (2) : the England international was far below his usual level. Pushed around the midfield by his opponents, he hardly existed even in the intensity which is normally his strength. In the tough technically, he didn’t contribute offensively either. His only notable match event, this recovery and this pass which causes the Barcelona goalkeeper to be sent off.

– Vinicius (2): after two losses of the ball in 2 minutes, he made up for it by recovering the ball on Mbappé’s goal. The Brazilian also makes a good call to free up space and allow the Frenchman to finish. Then, he completely disappeared from the meeting like his team. No notable opportunity or perhaps this cross which ends up on a bar from Rodrygo. That’s all. Replaced in the 75th by Brahim Diaz. The Moroccan did not have the opportunity to shine.

– Mbappé (4): the French international started very strong with a goal on his first acceleration. He took advantage of Vinicius Jr’s call and recovery to show his speed and deceive Ter Stegen. What a perfect start to your match. Unfortunately for him, he injured his ankle while accelerating and was in trouble afterwards. It disappeared completely until the 55th where it appeared in depth. He causes the exclusion of Szczęsny. And then after that, once again, nothing until the last second and a nice number which does not end with a goal (90th).

FC Barcelona

– Szczesny (4) : the Polish goalkeeper in this Spanish Super Cup started his match with a goal conceded on his first shot. Then, he was little used until his completely failed intervention on Kylian Mbappé which led to his expulsion. For his 3rd match in his new club, Szczesny would have dreamed of better even if his team did not lose this evening.

– Koundé (7,5) : the French international was monstrous and must still have Vinicius Jr in his pocket. Technically very clean, he put on an XXL performance as he was so calm. He delivered a sublime assist for Raphinha in the first half and never let up in intensity. It’s him, at the end of the match, who goes on the counter-attack again while his team is down to 10. Just well done.

– Cubing (6) : the young Spanish defender was very serious in his match. Always with character, he was decisive in several interventions at the feet of the Madrid attackers. At the end of the match, he enjoyed intervening in the aerial duels. A big match from him.

– Martinez (not rated): the Spanish defender, well in his match, gave up his place in the 28th due to injury. Replaced by Araujo (6.5). The Uruguayan defender, on departure according to the Spanish press, was serious and diligent. Although he sometimes made stupid mistakes, he was still very clean in his play and his interventions.

– Baldé (6): his start to the match began with a completely missed management of his one-on-one against Mbappé. Then he stepped up and was solid. Above all, he had decent offensive activity in his lane. He did not hesitate to double and this benefits his team since it is him, on a service from Raphinha, who scores the 4-1 goal. Serious match.

– Married (7.5): the young Spanish midfielder trained at La Masia was brilliant again this Sunday evening even if he started his match with a loss of the ball which gave Madrid the goal. He completely locked down and suffocated Bellingham. In the impact, he was present and did not tremble when he set foot. Above all, his technical quality is well above average and allows him to move around when under pressure. A nugget that Hansi Flick takes full advantage of.

– Gavi (7) : the other young Spanish midfielder was poison for the Madrid midfield. He was omnipresent in recovering the ball and in pressing. It’s hard to get rid of Gavi when he’s after you. A big match from him. He notably obtains the penalty which Lewandowski transforms and which gives the advantage to his team. Replaced in the 59th by Inaki Pena after the expulsion of Szczesny. The Spanish goalkeeper, who conceded a goal on his first shot, made a big save at the end of the match on Mbappé.

– Pedri (7) : already very good during the last Clasico, the young Barça nugget is a player apart. When he is in good shape, it is difficult to see his team lose a match. This evening, he was excellent again, multiplying the discounts, the passes and being very useful in the pressing. To get the ball from him, you have to get up early. And Real Madrid circles can only confirm.

– Lewandowski (6,5) : the Barcelona center forward did a lot of harm to the Merengue rearguard this Sunday. Decisive passer on Yamal’s equalizer (22nd) after bringing Rüdiger out of his marking, which allowed Madrid’s defense to open up, he then calmly transformed his penalty (36th). He is close to scoring his team’s fourth goal when he is in a duel with the German defender (43rd). In the second half, he touched less of the ball, his team being quickly reduced to ten.

– Yamal (8): the jewel of Barça terrorized Real Madrid for an hour by coming in on his left foot. After the Madrilenians opened the score, he allowed his team to get back into the match by equalizing after good work from Lewandowski (22nd). While his team was already leading by a goal, he gave the ball to Koundé after eliminating Mendy on his right side, who crossed and offered the third goal to Raphina (39th). Crazy elegance on the pitch. Replaced by Olmo (59th) to keep the ball when the team was ten men.

– Raphinha (8.5): see below.