Ferran 10, Bardghji 9 | Real Betis 3-5 Barcelona: Player Ratings | OneFootball

Hansi Flick introduced bold rotations ahead of Barcelona’s clash against Real Betis last night, but the Catalans still managed to make easy work of an in-form opposition.

It was the hosts who went ahead early in the game through a goal by Anthony, but Ferran Torres managed to help Barcelona get back in front with a quick-fire brace just five minutes after going behind.

Roony Bardghji’s goal combined with Torres’ third of the night then handed Barcelona a 4-1 lead before half-time, which Lamine Yamal extended to five after the break.

A late goal for Real Betis and a penalty in the penultimate minute helped reduce the deficit, but the result was never in doubt.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Real Betis 3-5 Barcelona.

Joan Garcia: 7.5

The Barcelona goalkeeper did not have a whole lot to do on the night, nor was there much he could do about the first goal conceded which came out of mayhem. A solid game in terms of his positioning and distribution.

Alejandro Balde: 7

Balde was taken off at half-time. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Played 45 minutes on the night and did well combining with Rashford on the left. He was left exposed by Antony at times because of his high position, but did decently well regardless.

Gerard Martin: 7.5

A solid performance from Martin at centre-back once more as he made vital interceptions and clearances to keep Barcelona’s backline compact and impenetrable. He also impressed with his passing range and constantly looked for the long balls to the final third.

Moved out to left-back in the second half after Balde was taken off.

Pau Cubarsi: 7

Cubarsi once again led the defence and was crucial with both his recoveries and clearances on the night. Looked shaky in certain moments but his distribution was impressive as usual and he did well alongside both Martin and Christensen across the two halves.

Jules Kounde: 8

Kounde’s performance against Real Betis was one of his finest of the season as he drove forward with purpose and looked to overlap with the wingers to create a threat.

He was not threatened often defensively, but he played a crucial part in the buildup to the opener and combined well with both Yamal and Bardghji.

Eric Garcia: 8

The defender turned midfielder had yet another solid performance in the middle of the park, combining with Pedri and progressing the buildup forward with ease.

He pioneered Barcelona’s defensive work when out of possession and was crucial in the pressing system as well.

Pedri: 8.5

Back to doing what he does best. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Pedri’s presence, as always, brought a sense of calm to Barcelona’s buildup-play and a concurrent sense of urgency off the ball.

The Canary Islander led the team’s pressing system off the ball and played them out of tricky positions in possession with his ice-cold manoeuvres through players. Picked out Bardghji well for his goal and assisted Ferran for his third goal as well.

Lamine Yamal: 8

Yamal was surprisingly placed in a central role on the night in what was his first start as a true number 10. Unsurprisingly, however, he did need his time adapting to the same.

With Bardghji hugging the touchline on the right, Yamal dropped deeper to aid in playmaking and looked to progress the ball to the final third in the buildup. He did not, however, see much of the goal himself.

Stepped up and converted the penalty to put Barcelona 5-1 up on the night.

Roony Bardghji: 9

Hansi Flick’s gamble paid off. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The youngster earned a start after impressing Flick in training and continued to do the same on the field as he announced himself with a goal and assist.

Bardghji provided a perfect cross for Torres’ second goal and the ball could not have been weighted better as it fell to the forward placed perfectly between two defenders. His goal was another moment of beauty as he struck it as clean as a whistle.

Bardghji’s movements and dribbles on the right flank lit Barcelona’s wing up, and his combination play was impressive for a player with limited playing time.

Ferran Torres: 10

A first-half hat-trick for the ‘Shark’. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The Shark was simply on fire on the night, and everything he touched seemingly turned into gold. He opened the scoring with a poacher’s finish, volleyed a stunning second just minutes later, and completed his hat-trick with a bit of help from a deflection.

Torres’ movements cause serious trouble for Real Betis’ defence, and while he may not have had as many touches as he would like, he was as clinical as a striker can be.

Marcus Rashford: 8

The Englishman did well in stretching the play out wide on the left and combined with Balde to make some overlapping sequences. 

Barring that, however, he did not threaten too much on goal himself. Did well with his pressure off the ball, showing a good learning curve. Earned the penalty that handed Barcelona the fifth goal.