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Yamal 9.5, Cubarsi 8.5 | Real Betis 2-5 Barcelona: Player Ratings
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- Yamal 9.5, Cubarsi 8.5 | Real Betis 2-5 Barcelona: Player Ratings
Yamal 9.5, Cubarsi 8.5 | Real Betis 2-5 Barcelona: Player Ratings
Barcelona faced a grueling away challenge against Real Betis on Saturday night in what was the pick of the league games this weekend. The game, needless to say, did not disappoint.
Lamine Yamal handed Barcelona the early lead but Real Betis promptly equalized. When Rodri scored the team's second, the home side again found a response almost instantaneously but had the goal disallowed by VAR.
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After the break, Barcelona found a quick third to drift away when matters went haywire. Real Betis found another goal back through Ez Abde, but an immediate clash of players after the goal saw Real Betis lose a man to a red card for an unnecessary foul.
A fourth goal came for Barcelona soon after, as Eric Garcia bundled the ball into the back of the net, sending the team into cruise control for the final spell of the game.
Barca Universal brings you the player ratings from Real Betis 2-5 Barcelona.
Joan Garcia: 8.5
The goalkeeper did face a bust night and did well with his sweeping to deny Real Betis chances on goal. He was clean with his saves, particularly as he denied Hector Bellerin a direct chance.
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Not much he could do to deny Betis' opener, which arrived after a long series of errors.
Xavi Espart: 8
Espart showed the maturity of a veteran once again last night as he commanded the left-flank with authority both in defense and in attack.
There is not much more Flick can ask of the player at this point, for he seems to be solid in his defensive foundations and technically gifted enough to make the right runs in attack. At times, he was even seen drifting centrally into a striker's role.
Gerard Martin: 7
Martin had a relatively decent night as he did not spill too many balls and was decent with his distribution. At times, however, he did come under pressure when Los Verdiblancos hit out on the break.
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However, he should have done better when defending Real Betis' opener as he seemingly made no effort to jump and intercept the cross.
Pau Cubarsi: 8.5
Cubarsi started on the night and dished out a solid performance, drawing out of Real Betis' high pressure with exceptional technical brilliance and making the right decisions with his distribution. In terms of his defensive stability, he was technically sound and did not get into trouble often.
Did brilliantly to assist Eric Garcia's goal in the second half and earned a second assist for Olmo's goal.
Jules Kounde: 6.5
Kounde was back to being the weak link in defense, likely because he faced the most difficult head-to-head clash in the defense. Going up against Ez Abde, he had his work cut out for him and struggled to keep up with the former Barcelona star's pace.
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Offensively, he did a good job with his overlapping runs and connection with Lamine Yamal, but his defensive output seriously has to improve.
Rodri: 8.5
A first Barcelona goal for Rodri. (Photo credit: X/FC Barcelona)
The game without Rodri would have been a very different one, as the player controlled the game and changed the tempo based on the game situation time and time again.
When Real Betis seemed to be growing into the game, the veteran was the only one actively understanding the need of the hour and slowing the tempo, and he also pushed forward in need to link with the attack better.
He also scored his first Barcelona goal on the night with a smooth header, marking a special occasion on his calendar.
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Pedri: 8
Pedri was flawless for the most part against Real Betis as he not only kept the ball but circulated it effectively without falling under Real Betis' pressure.
The Canary Islander squeezed out of difficult situations with ease and seemingly got out of them to help his side keep the momentum. At times, however, he did lose the ball cheaply, although that is a very minor negative compared to his brilliance.
Fermin Lopez: 7.5
Fermin Lopez did well to combine with Lamine Yamal and Pedri on the night, but did not get nearly as close to goal as Flick would have hoped.
Real Betis' tight defensive lines likely forced him to drop into a bigger playmaking role, and he did that well by getting into the right positions to provide passing options. However, he did not see any big chances himself.
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Karim Adeyemi: 7.5
Adeyemi had two massive chances in the first half which he spurned, but was a menace down the flank for Los Verdiblancos without a speck of doubt.
The winger was Barcelona's leading pace option and looked to get in behind the defenders regularly, often to good effect. The end product, however, was missing.
Gabriel Jesus: 8
Another game, another goal. (Photo credit: X/FC Barcelona)
Gabriel Jesus started as the striker for Barcelona and continued to show how effective he can be as a player who presses from the very front. He was unlucky to have a goal disallowed, but scored a valid goal just seconds later to earn his place on the scoresheet.
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Lamine Yamal: 9.5
The magician was at work again. (Photo credit: X/FC Barcelona)
The best player on the planet, bar none. Another game, and Yamal again dazzled on a level that simply seems unattainable for a teenager.
For starters, the youngster scored a stunning goal early in the game to hand Barcelona the lead with an opportunity he created and buried from an impossible angle. He was a threat throughout the game, and eventually earned an assist for Gabriel Jesus' goal in the second half.
Eric Garcia: 8
Came on in the second half for Gerard Martin and did well defensively alongside Cubarsi. Scored Barcelona's fourth goal with an instinctive finish off Cubarsi's assist.
Dani Olmo: 8
The Spaniard scored his first goal of the season with a great finish in the 80th minute, and was a spark in midfield after coming on in the second-half.
