Barcelona 4-0 Real Valladolid: Player Ratings

Liquid footy returned to the Camp Nou today as Barcelona put up an absolute show against Real Valladolid. They were under pressure following back-to-back underwhelming games, and did not let the fans go home disappointed.

Barça opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Raphinha found Robert Lewandowski with an incredible piece of individual brilliance. Pedri added the second 20 minutes later, courtesy of a cushioned lay-off from Ousmane Dembele

The second half saw two more goals as Lewandowski was on target again with a brazy backheel. Sergi Roberto added the fourth after the Pole missed his chance of a hattrick.

Barça Universal runs the rule over the victors following this brilliant 90 minutes of football.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 6

ter Stegen did not have to make a single save today until 65 minutes. From there, he made brilliant back-to-back saves

Jules Kounde: 8

Kounde made his official debut for Barcelona, as a right-back no less. On the whole, his performance was solid. Always safe in possession and alert of it, Kounde earned that clean sheet, especially with that stunning goal-line clearance.

Ronald Araujo: 7.5

Ronald Araujo treats attackers like children. He was on the pitch for an hour, and dispossessed Sergi Guardiola and Alvaro Aguado like he was taking lollypop off a baby.

Eric Garcia: 8

Garcia has maintained his superb start to the season with yet another flawless display tonight. Apart from the obviously great defending, Garcia created so many openings with his pin-point passing.

Alejandro Balde: 6.5

Balde was silent today for the most part, but helped add some much-needed width to the team after Raphinha was subbed off.

Gavi: 7.5

After two relatively underwhelming games, Gavi came back stronger tonight. Ever the resilient presence, the teenager picked up several loose balls and could have been on the scoresheet if not for some delayed decision-making.

Sergio Busquets: 7

Busquets was not flashy, never is, but the midfield was infinitely calmer with him sitting as the anchor.

Pedri: 8.5

Running out of superlatives for the Golden Boy. Back on the scoresheet, dominated the game as the advanced 8, finesse in every touch, and hard-working as ever.

Raphinha: 9

Raphinha was hooked at the hour-mark, but was arguably the best player tonight. He wreaked havoc on Valladolid’s backline, breaking ankles and making some crazy passes.

Got the assist for the opener with a truly magnificent cross, but could have easily had a hattrick of them today. Joga Bonito is back at the Camp Nou.

Robert Lewandowski: 9

Back-to-back braces for the best striker in the league. He got on the end of a superb pass from Raphinha in what was the result of incredible poacher instinct, and the second a sensational backheel finish through the defender’s legs into the bottom corner.

Really should have had a hattrick, though.

Ousmane Dembele: 8.5

Dembele was loud as ever on the pitch, making mazy runs into the box with the ball and creating chances. Created Pedri’s goal with a perfectly weighted pass in the, and got another assist with a through ball to Lewandowski.

SUBSTITUTES

Sergi Roberto: 7

His performance was largely vanilla, but was at the right place at the right time to sneak in a goal in injury time.

Frenkie de Jong: 7

De Jong was playing like a man who does not want to go to Manchester United. Committed with every tackle, loose ball, and pass. Hopefully, he can keep this up when he starts.

Ansu Fati: 6

Fati made some darting runs with and without the ball into the box, but could not end up on the scoresheet today.

Franck Kessie: N/A

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

Ferran Torres: N/A

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