Barcelona took on the giant-killers Albacete on Tuesday night in their Copa del Rey qualifier, finally dismantling the team that had eliminated both Celta Vigo and Real Madrid from the competition.
The Catalans were dominant from the get-go on the night, maintaining dominance in possession and creating the better chances at Carlos Belmonte.
Lamine Yamal handed them the lead in the first half, putting pressure on Albacete, and it was Ronald Araujo who scored the team’s second goal to put them clear. The hosts mounted pressure with a late goal, but Barcelona saw the game through.
The win over Albacete sees the Catalans through to the semifinals of the competition and just two steps away from defending their title and securing their second title of the season.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Albacete 1-2 Lamine Yamal.
Joan Garcia: 7
The Blaugrana goalkeeper had a relatively silent game and was only called into action on rare occasions for relatively straightforward saves. Was convincing and accurate with his distribution. Not much he could do to deny Albacete’s opener.
Gerard Martin: 8
Martin started in place of Alejandro Balde at right-back and did a good job playing in the position. He did not venture forward much given that Marcus Rashford did that job, but he connected with the Englishman and had a good game defensively.
His distribution, at times, was fabulous threading balls to the final third and playing out from the left side. Made a vital clearance off the line in the dying minutes.
Eric Garcia: 7.5
The player started at centre-back against Albacete and led Barcelona’s defence with his composure and ball-playing skills.
Was not threatened too much, but did well to hold off the Albacete attack and convert defence into attack.
Ronald Araujo: 8.5
Making his first start since his mental health hiatus, Araujo had a solid game at centre-back. His distribution was questionable at times, but his pace added something the team’s defence has lacked in recent times.
The captain tracked back and held off Albacete’s attacks down the right side single-handedly on occasion, even showing improved decision-making in 1v1 scenarios.
Scored Barcelona’s second goal on the night with a strong header off a corner delivery by Marcus Rashford, wrapping up a special night for him.
Joao Cancelo: 6
Cancelo started at right-back on the night but left the field with a relatively underwhelming performance.
Took a booking early in the night and played with caution for the greater part, even coming close to a second sanction at one point. Still looked rusty with his decision-making, connection with teammates and defensive interceptions.
Marc Bernal: 8
Starting for Barcelona after a relatively long time, Bernal showed great composure, distribution and game-reading to seriously elevate the team’s midfield dominance.
His ability to generate a pause on the ball, manoeuvre past defenders, keep the game flowing and transition to attack helped Barcelona partially tide over the gap left by Pedri’s injury. He also worked well with Frenkie de Jong to dominate the department.
Frenkie de Jong: 8
The captain continued his great run of form, helping Barcelona easily control the game and dictate its tempo on the night.
With Bernal staying slightly deeper in the pivot, he was handed some freedom to venture forward in attack and took on the decisive passes, and eventually earned the assist for Lamine Yamal’s opener.
Dani Olmo: 7
Olmo dished out a mixed performance on the night, combining fabulously with Yamal once again and generating threat with his runs into the box. Concurrently, he could have had a couple of goals to his name in the opening period but could not quite control the ball adequately.
Lamine Yamal: 9
The teenage sensation was yet again Barcelona’s best player on the night, single-handedly creating the bulk of their attacking chances and openings. Should have had at least two assists in the first period alone, but the likes of Olmo and Rashford could not capitalise.
Eventually scored the goal that handed the team the lead on the night with a sublime first-touch curler past the goalkeeper into the far post.
Robert Lewandowski: 6.5
Lewandowski’s movements off the ball were commendable, but he narrowly missed out on scoring on a couple of occasions. Could well have had a brace to his name.
Marcus Rashford: 7.5
The Englishman had some of Barcelona’s best chances of the first half including an early cross from Yamal and a 1v1 later in the same period. Stunningly missed both, either through poor judgment or poor finishing.
Played a critical part in creating the opening for the team’s eventual first goal on the night. Earned the assist for Araujo’s goal with a great delivery from a corner.
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