Barcelona took on Athletic Club on match day 27 of La Liga last night in the Basque Country and were put to a tough test across the 90 minutes.
The Catalans were neither dominant nor clinical on the night, but understandably so given the shift they put in days ago against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.
Moreover, the upcoming clash against Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League was another factor on Hansi Flick and his players’ minds – both in terms of the rotational decisions and the team’s intensity.
In the end, a goal from Lamine Yamal helped Barcelona to all three points, helping them restore their four-point lead over Real Madrid.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Athletic Club 0-1 Barcelona.
Joan Garcia: 7.5
The Barcelona goalkeeper was called into action once by Athletic Club’s attack in the first half with a rather straightforward shot but did not have a whole lot of involvement beyond that.
His runs out and the distribution was spot-on and largely accurate. Made a stunning save in the 58th minute to deny the hosts a goal.
Joao Cancelo: 6
After a great performance against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, Cancelo was back to mixed form against the Basque giants.
He struggled against Alex Berenguer in a defensive sense and was half-hearted with his trackbacks, also adding negligible attacking threat in the process.
Gerard Martin: 8
Martin was rock-solid in central defence on a night where Cancelo struggled, virtually covering for the Portuguese star at the back and saving the team’s blushes.
He was reliable with all his duels attempted and was flawless with his distribution and passing from the back.
Pau Cubarsi: 7
The teenage phenom was less involved in the defensive actions against Athletic Club than his defensive partner, primarily because most of their attacks built up Berenguer’s flank. He was reliable with his distribution and offside trap maintenance.
Eric Garcia: 7.5
Garcia was named Barcelona’s captain on the night and was decent at right-back, adding defensive stability with a moderate attacking threat.
He was better going forward in the second half but lacked the creative cutting edge.
Marc Bernal: 7.5
Bernal played 45 minutes on the night and was Barcelona’s most reliable midfielder in the first half, controlling the game with poise and gracefully holding the buildup together.
Was hooked off for Pedri at half-time, and understandably so given that he needed rest.
Marc Casado: 7
Casado earned a rare start on the night and was brought in to hand Pedri some much-needed rest. The La Masia star did well and was safe with his distribution.
In a creative sense, however, he lacked once again as has largely been the case with him all season. Formed a decent partnership with Bernal in the double pivot.
Dani Olmo: 7
Olmo started as Barcelona’s attacking midfield on the night but simply could not make attacking inroads into Athletic Club’s backline – partially for his own substandard performance and partly for the forwards’ underwhelming display.
He was decent with his distribution and work rate off the ball nevertheless.
Lamine Yamal: 8.5
Yamal’s first-half against Athletic Club was nothing to boast of from a creative ot finishing standpoint, as one can reasonably expect given the shift he put in midweek.
He was Barcelona’s biggest attacking threat nevertheless, but that says more about the poor performances of the other forwards than his brilliance.
Scored a stunning goal to hand Barcelona the lead with an audacious finish from a tight angle.
Marcus Rashford: 6
The English winger was limited with his contributions on the left flank and was not given enough space to run into to flourish and stand out. Further, his partnership with Cancelo on the flank was nothing to cheer.
Ferran Torres: 5
Torres’ poor form continued last night as he looked lost in the box once more with unclear movements, buildup sequences and finishing. Had just one shot in the first half and only made two accurate passes in the same duration.
Pedri: 7.5
The Canary Islander came on for the second half and spent a quarter of an hour getting back to steam.
Once he began controlling the game, however, Barcelona were in the driver’s seat. Provided a perfectly weighted assist for Yamal’s opener.
Fermin Lopez: 6.5
Came on for the final 30 minutes and did well to take Olmo’s place, however, failed to provide the box threat Flick would have hoped for him to provide.
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