Match Reviews
Barcelona Player Ratings vs Real Betis — 8.5 Messi to the rescue, horror showing for Pjanic
It’d be fair to deem the game as a tale of two halves, with Barça showing a lot more assertion after proceedings, certainly making up for that lacklustre first half. Playing with unfamiliar faces evidently had an impact on the team’s structure, but thankfully the return of Pedri and Messi restored that shape Barca previously lacked. Ronald Koeman’s substitutions proved to change the entire course of the game.
In yet another away game, Barcelona ensured they did not leave emptyhanded and fought till the very last minute, refusing to sulk off the pitch, despite Real Betis equalizing in the 76th minute. Another morale booster for Ronald Koeman and co. and a much needed 3 points now puts Koeman in a favourable position as the Blaugranas approach the colossal clash against Sevilla.
Marc-André Ter Stegen: 6.5
Ter Stegen was undeniably deserving of a better outcome, having made some impeccable saves between the sticks in critical moments of the game. While the German was obliged to pick the ball out of his net on two occasions, it was simply due to Barça’s back-line letting him down.
Oscar Mingueza: 6.5
Despite the fact that Oscar Mingueza has habitually struggled to assert himself as a prominent right-back, he finally showed signs of encouragement at the Benito Villamarín, dealing fairly well with Nabil Fekir and providing a few well worked crosses up-field. However, it could certainly be argued that he was often caught flat-footed in transitions, letting his man blitz past him on a few occasions. The La Masia prodigy also worked out a save from Rubles in goal.
Ronald Araújo: N/A
The Uruguayan wall’s night was cut short after enduring a nasty twisted ankle just 11 minutes into the game. While Araújo hardly had time to impose himself on the game, his absence was felt noticeably.
Clement Lenglet: 6
Returning to the starting XI against Real Betis, Clement Lenglet had a decent performance, playing as the only experienced centre-back in defence. Having to partner up with De Jong probably impeded his display as the duo struggled to coordinate themselves when the opposition were on the charge. Still, the Frenchman won 3 out of 4 duels and remained relatively reliable on the ball, albeit he looked slightly sluggish at times.
Jordi Alba: 7
Following a man-of-the-match worthy performance against Granada, Jordi Alba was once again a lethal asset raiding up-field on the left flank. Providing four key passes and utilizing little pockets of space in Betis’ fragmented back-line after proceedings, the Spaniard did ever so well to offer himself an option upfront.
However, defensively he was once again unreliable. For the first goal, the 31-year-old was partially at fault, and then for the hosts’ second, he failed to mark his man on the set-piece effectively.
Sergio Busquets: 5
A rather unforgettable night for the Spanish veteran, who could have benefitted from some rest on this demanding occasion. While Busquets continuously kept things moving from the base of midfield and made some vital recoveries, he could certainly be blamed for both the oppositions’ goals, after failing to contain his man on the first instance and then producing a foul which led to the set-piece equalizer.
Miralem Pjanic: 4.5
The Bosnian was dull and dreary in possession, failing to provide any spark in midfield as he looked like a complete misfit alongside the young Riqui Puig. Pjanic floundered cheaply on the ball and only won 2 of his 6 duels. Evidently, it has not been an easy task for the former Juventus man to adapt to Ronald Koeman’s newfound 4-3-3 formation, where Pjanic struggles to alternate roles. He was taken off in the 57th minute.
Riqui Puig: 6.5
The young starlet was a workhorse in midfield, pressing Real Betis valiantly and playing a major role in the Catalans’ counter-pressing. Additionally, Riqui Puig even won 5 of his 6 duels. However, it could be argued that Puig’s pressing was often uncoordinated with the rest of the team, with his behaviour not always correlating with Barça. He was eventually taken off for Lionel Messi.
Ousmane Dembélé: 7.5
The Frenchman was without a shadow of a doubt Barça’s most threatening player until Messi came on. It was frustrating to witness Dembélé miss fruitful one-on-one opportunities, even so, he did well to stretch the Betis back-line and utilized his explosive nature on the right flank, with an assist and an exciting display.
Martin Braithwaite: 4
Once again assigned to start on the left flank, Martin Braithwaite was not a major source of inspiration. The Danish forward was minimally involved in the final third and had merely one shot, which hardly troubled the opposition defence.
Antoine Griezmann: 6.5
Griezmann almost squandered the best opportunity of the game with a tap-in at his disposal, but despite a poor touch preventing him from finding the back of the net, a Victor Ruiz own goal bailed him out on that occasion.
Griezmann’s influence, as compared to his last few outings, was substantially limited. Lionel Messi’s inclusion certainly saw him more involved in the second half, but it could definitely be argued that the World Cup Winner is in dire need of some rest by now. However, off the ball, Griezmann was frequently fighting tooth and nail for every ball.
Substitutions
Frenkie de Jong: 6.5
Came off the bench early on in the game, and was partly responsible for the first goal Real Betis scored. Often let his market lose, as well, and was lucky he had ter Stegen behind him.
Lionel Messi: 8.5
The game changer and the man of the match from yesternight, Lionel Messi came on in the second half to tilt the game in favour of the visitors. Your GOAT could never.
Pedri: 6.5
Samuel Umtiti: N/A
Poor
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