Real Betis 1-2 Barcelona: Player Ratings

Five points clear atop the La Liga standings, Barcelona took on Real Betis in a tricky clash at Benito Villamarin stadium on Wednesday night. Playing their game in hand before Real Madrid midweek, Xavi Hernandez’s men had a chance to extend their lead to eight points and pile the pressure on their arch-rivals.

To do so, however, the visitors would have to navigate past a tricky opposition that held them to a draw less than four weeks ago.

Raphinha opened the scoring in the second half before Robert Lewandowski doubled his side’s lead in the 80th minute. When the situation seemed to be under control, Jules Kounde put the ball into his own net to give Los Verdibancos a route back into the game.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Real Betis 1-2 Barcelona.

Marc Andre ter Stegen: 8.5

The shot-stopper was not called into action in the entirety of the first 45 minutes and made his first save ten minutes into the second half.

Jules Kounde: 7.5

Kounde was the Catalans’ best defender by a country mile on Wednesday, playing at right-back for the umpteenth time. The Frenchman was a big asset in the final third, regularly involved in the buildup.

He scored an unnecessary own goal in the closing minutes of the game to add an element of nerve to the game.

Ronald Araujo: 7.5

The Uruguayan held his own defensively but did not have too much work to do in his own area. His most notable contribution on the night came from a corner in the closing period when he won the header with his strong aerial presence and laid it off into Lewandowski’s path for Barcelona’s second.

Andreas Christensen: 8

The Dane recorded two clearances, an interception and a tackle in his 90 minutes in addition to winning 3 duels. Was very vital in the nervy closing minutes of the game as his composure helped the Catalans hold onto their lead.

Alejandro Balde: 9

The youngster made a vital block to deny Borja Iglesias in the opening moments of the game and did a good job dribbling down the left flank. Created Pedri’s big chance in the second half with a sensational cross.

Five minutes past the hour mark, Balde fired a low bullet of a cross into the area that saw Raphinha score the equaliser.

Frenkie de Jong: 7

Frenkie de Jong was not the flashiest Blaugrana player at Benito Villamarin, but did the hard work behind the scenes and was integral to the visitors’ resilient press.

Through his composure on the ball, the Dutchman gave Xavi a reason to stick to the four-man midfield system and give him regular minutes.

Sergio Busquets: 9

The Spanish veteran was arguably Barcelona’s best player in the first half. He recorded over 55 touches in the first period alone, with an accuracy of 96%. Further, he had completed 100% of his attempted long balls.

Finished the game with a staggering 118 touches, two key passes and a similar figure in accuracy.

Pedri: 8.75

The Canary Islander enjoyed a great first half in possession including a key pass, a cross and a long ball and was one of the cornerstones of the team’s buildup. Barcelona’s biggest chance of the first half fell to him in the 18th minute, but he surprisingly failed to maintain control of the ball.

Three minutes into the second half, the youngster placed a powerful shot on goal from inside the box but was denied by a phenomenal save. Went on to orchestrate the team’s attack in the second half until he was replaced in the closing minutes.

Gavi: 7.5

The teenage sensation was the one chosen to cover for Ousmane Dembele’s absence and started as the left winger at Benito Villamarin. His runs beyond the defence were a regular threat in the final third as he finished the first half with one shot blocked and another off target. Followed up with a high-tempo second half.

Raphinha: 8

Given a chance on the flank he calls home, the Brazilian enjoyed a strong performance on the right side. While he did not cut into the centre as much as one would have expected, his crosses into the area accounted for much of Barcelona’s attack.

On a night when the team needed him to step up, Raphinha got into the end of Balde’s inch-perfect cross in the 65th minute and slammed the ball past Rui Silva to give Barcelona the lead.

Robert Lewandowski: 7.5

The Polish striker returned to La Liga after his three-game suspension and looked rusty throughout the opening period. Lewandowski seemingly lacked not only the cutting edge in front of the goal but also his off-the-ball movements.

Even on a night when he seemed far from his best, Lewy had his name on the scoresheet. Ten minutes from full-time, the Pole got into the end of Ronald Araujo’s header in a set-piece and volleyed the ball into the net from point-blank range.

Substitutions

Ansu Fati: 6

The prodigy came on the final 15 minutes and had one powerful header on target that could have well been Barcelona’s second.

Ferran Torres: NA

Played only ten minutes at Benito Villamarin.

Franck Kessie: NA

Came on too late to make an impact.