Sevilla 0-3 Barcelona: Player Ratings

Julien Lopetegui had the ideal blueprint to stop Barcelona, in theory, today. He lined up his team in a 4-3-1-2, with Youssef En-Nesyri and Erik Lamela pinning Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo in the defence.

Isco was tasked with marking Sergio Busquets, completing cutting off their best option to build through the centre.

Unfortunately for him, though, 2022/23 Barça is so incredibly built after the transfer window, quality manages to find a way.

Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 21st minute after Robert Lewandowski’s chip was cleared off the line. The Pole then got his well-deserved goal with a sensational pass from Jules Kounde, to which he did full justice.

Eric Garcia etched his name on the score sheet in the second half as Raphinha’s brilliant cross found Kounde, who cushioned it to the Spaniard.

Overall, a perfect response to Real Madrid’s win, keeps any potential title race alive. Join Barça Universal as we run the rule over those in gold tonight after a stellar 0-3 win.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 9

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is slowly rediscovering his best form, and today was his best game in months. Tasked with containing the Sevilla frontline, he made just three saves, but two of them were incredible, well and truly.

The first was a close-range effort against Ivan Rakitic early in the game, and the second was a 1v1 save against En-Nesyri to retain the clean sheet.

Jules Kounde: 8.5

Kounde was evidently fired up to play against his former club. Got two assists on the night, combined well with Raphinha, and will undoubtedly keep the starting spot next weekend.

Ronald Araujo: 6

Far from his best performance, Araujo was sloppy in defence. Did not track runners well enough, and was lucky ter Stegen in killer form.

Eric Garcia: 8

The worst of Garcia’s four games so far this season, but not by any means poor. Even then, he managed to build on his incredible season with a goal.

Alejandro Balde: 5

Tracked back well on an occasion or two, but otherwise awfully quiet.

Gavi: 8.5

Gavi was the best player for Barça during the first half, breaking up multiple Sevilla moves. He started almost all of his side’s attacks, and definitely earned his starting spot.

Sergio Busquets: 5

Contained very well by Isco and co., Busquets was not able to leave behind his trademark on the game.

Pedri: 7.5

Despite being far from his best, Pedri created two lovely chances. Wriggled between the lines as he does, and was eventually brought off for a much-needed breather.

Raphinha: 8.5

Raphinha is slowly but surely making the right-wing his home. Today, too, he was superb, picking out every unmarked player through crosses. He scored the opening goal with an instinctive header, found Kounde brilliantly for Garcia’s goal, and created a handful more chances, including a 1v1 for Lewandowski.

Robert Lewandowski: 8

First of all, Lewandowski’s fitness is bizarre. The 34-year-old was trapping aerial balls 5 and 6 feet high with his chest. Scored a crazy goal, too, but in reality, could have, should have had a hat trick.

Ousmane Dembele: 6

A very underwhelming performance from Dembele, who looked back to his usual ways with atrocious decision-making.

SUBSTITUTES

Sergi Roberto: 6.5

Created a superb chance for Lewandowski after coming on and was safe in possession as ever.

Frenkie de Jong: 7

Brought on for thirty minutes, the Dutchman showed a ton of dedication, constantly fighting for loose balls. Was involved in two almost-goals, creating one very smart move for Ansu Fati.

Jordi Alba: 6

A decent showing off the bench. Nothing to write home about.

Ferran Torres: 4

Torres was selfish with the ball, with only the goal in his mind. Needs to do better.

Ansu Fati: 4

Fati was surprisingly careless, both on and off the ball.