Barcelona attempted the impossible against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night at a Spotify Camp Nou that turned up for the occasion.
Needing four goals to level terms with the visitors, the Catalans started well with Marc Bernal opening the scoring and Raphinha doubling the score at the end of the first half.
The second half began with Barcelona dominating once more, handing the visitors almost no chance or sight of the ball. A second goal from Marc Bernal made it 3-4 on aggregate, setting up the stage for a grandstand final 20 minutes.
Unfortunately for the Catalans, however, they could not find the final goal that would have levelled the scores on aggregate.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Barcelona 3-0 Atletico Madrid.
Joan Garcia: 8
Given the nature of the game and Barcelona’s high pressing system with intensity, it was a given that Atletico Madrid would have a few chances of their own on the break and Joan Garcia did well to deny them a goal.
He had only one save in the first half, but a crucial one to deny Antoine Griezmann from close range. Kept his standards up in the second period.
Joao Cancelo: 8
Cancelo started at left-back but was soon forced to switch to the right flank after Kounde’s injury.
Did well to combine with Lamine Yamal on almost his first time at right-back and delivered some lethal crosses that should have been buried.
Gerard Martin: 7.5
Martin put up a good show in possession and held the offside trap to good effect. He also pushed up when the team had dominant spells of possession, looking to overlap from the inside and aid Alejandro Balde.
Pau Cubarsi: 8
Cubarsi was rock-solid for most of the night, making the right decisions and interceptions to cut short Atletico Madrid attacks repeatedly. His distribution was top-notch under the visitors’ press and he made all the right decisions.
Jules Kounde: 6
Kounde started the game at right-back well with good intensity but was forced off very early owing to an injury. Given how he walked off and did not head down the tunnel, the team will hope it is nothing serious.
Marc Bernal: 9
Bernal started in midfield alongside Pedri, providing stability and lurking relatively deeper to provide a low line of press and defensive backup.
He scored the team’s opener on the night off Lamine Yamal’s assist, opening the gates for a possible comeback, and thus scored his third goal in six games. Scored again after the break to make it 3-0 on the night.
Pedri: 8.5
Pedri was the controlling demon for Barcelona in midfield, virtually impossible to shake off the ball when in possession.
The Canary Islander was reliable with his distribution and always looked for the progressive passing output on a night where attacking transitions were key. He also won the penalty late in the first half for Barcelona.
Fermin Lopez: 6.5
Lopez started as the attacking midfielder on the night, but it was his press that did most of the talking.
The youngster did not get any major goalscoring chances in the first half, nor did he attempt any audacious strikes. His work-rate off the ball and ability to close down, however, kept the visitors’ defenders under constant stress.
Lamine Yamal: 8.5
The teenage sensation was again at his best, taking on defenders on his own and creating attacking outlets where it seemed impossible.
Created the opening goal all by himself with a stunning dribble inside the box and was perhaps the single-biggest creative outlet for the team on the night.
Raphinha: 7.5
The Brazilian was not at his clinical best with his shots and sent a couple into the stands behind the target instead of on goal. However, his press was relentless and he was crucial in the buildup.
Missed a chance to score off a header but helped score Barcelona’s second goal on the night with a calmly dispensed penalty.
Ferran Torres: 6
On a night where clinical finishing was a non-negotiable, Torres was wasteful in the first-half and had nothing to show for the chances provided to win.
He could well have had a brace in the opening 45 minutes but missed the target on both occasions relatively early in the game.
Alejandro Balde: 7
The Spanish defender came on early in the game after Kounde’s injury, forcing Cancelo to right-back and taking over at left-back himself.
He was key in the team’s buildup down the left flank but did not provide nearly as much attacking output as would be expected from a full-back in such a high-stakes game.
Left injured himself past the hour mark.
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