Barcelona 1-0 Real Sociedad: Player Ratings

The two most in-form sides in Spain locked horns tonight at Camp Nou as Barcelona hosted Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. It was an excellent game as one would have expected, but extremely one-sided to La Real’s dismay.

Barcelona went all-guns blazing as soon as the ball got rolling, with Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski spearheading continuous attacks. Sociedad were lucky to return to the dressing room unscathed, but their luck did not last long.

Dembele struck early in the second half, courtesy of an assist from Jules Kounde. Barça were able to maintain their tempo till the 90th minute and came out victors with another clean sheet. Onwards to the semis, now.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 7.5

Screened by the likes of Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, and Balde, ter Stegen did not have to make a single save today until the 87th minute when his own poor pass reached Carlos Fernandez. He did make an excellent save immediately afterwards to recover, though. Also came in clutch in injury time to parry away another Sociedad attempt.

Jules Kounde: 9

Kounde started at right-back, and did pretty much everything one can expect from a football player.

Continuously played wonderful passes into the final third, combined brilliantly with Ousmane Dembele, and almost scored a sensational goal. Also got the assist for the only goal of the game. Rolls Royce footballer.

Ronald Araujo: 7.5

Solid as usual at the back, commanding the defence. Did well intercepting attacks early on, but more importantly, was much more diverse with his passing.

Andreas Christensen: 7.5

Christensen came back from injury to put in yet another tremendous shift in central defence. An absolute sniper from the back, starting multiple attacks with his long passing, while maintaining yet another clean sheet.

Alejandro Balde: 7.5

Balde was tasked with providing width from the left tonight and did ever so well. Played the game at a very high intensity and constantly pushed the ball into the final third with his incredible burst of pace.

Pedri: 8

Pedri was at the heart of it at all in midfield, pulling the strings in the final third with Dembele. Constantly attacked the box as a second striker. Eventually limped off, a bad sign for Barcelona.

Sergio Busquets: 7.5

Evidently more prolific than ever in this system, guarded by three other midfielders. Dictated the tempo like he was 28, and his quick thinking got Brais Mendez sent off, too.

Frenkie de Jong: 8.5

Operating in his preferred box-to-box role, de Jong was unplayable once again. Did not miss a single beat in possession, was more prolific than usual defensively and got on the end of crosses, too.

Ousmane Dembele: 10

Dembele absolutely ran riot on the wings tonight. Had Diego Rico chasing shadows as he created multiple chances.

His understanding with Kounde on the wing also caused a ton of problems, and eventually resulted in the winner. Absolutely perfect game from the World Cup winner; his best ever for Barcelona.

Robert Lewandowski: 7

Arguably the best striker in the world with his back to the goal, and that was proven once again tonight as his hold-up play created multiple chances for his teammates in the first half.

Gavi: 7.5

Predictably dynamite off the ball, and extremely intelligent on it – Gavi came through once again playing as a false left-winger. Was heavily involved in the final third, and has evidently developed an understanding with Lewandowski.

SUBSTITUTES:

Franck Kessie: N/A

Came on with 15 minutes to spare, did not impact the game much.

Raphinha: N/A

Came on late, did not do enough to warrant a rating.

Ansu Fati: N/A

Did little of note in the last six minutes.

Marcos Alonso: N/A

Stoppage-time substitute.