Raphinha 9.5, Yamal 9.5 | Barcelona 5-2 Rayo Vallecano: Player Ratings | OneFootball

Barcelona’s defensive frailties were exposed for the first time this season when the team took on Rayo Vallecano on Monday night at the Spotify Camp Nou.

The Catalans did indeed go on to win comfortably, but they conceded twice to make the game tighter than required at times. Hansi Flick’s rotations on the night, in that sense, brought in some instability at the back.

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha were on the scoresheet for Barcelona in the team’s eventual 4-2 win with the captain again coming up clutch. The game brought its share of positives but also matters for Hansi Flick to ponder over and fix.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Barcelona 5-2 Rayo Vallecano.

Joan Garcia: 6.5

No clean sheet for Joan Garcia. (Photo credit: X/FC Barcelona)

Three match days into the league, Garcia finally conceded his first goal of the new season early in the first half after Jules Kounde’s positioning allowed Rayo Vallecano to get in behind the defence. Truth be told, there was not much the goalkeeper could have done.

Beyond that, he was relatively untested on the night and did well in terms of his distribution, positioning and even runs outside the box.

Xavi Espart: 8

With every passing game, Espart continues to prove why he is Hansi Flick’s preferred starting left-back all of a sudden, even over Joao Cancelo.

The La Masia graduate was once again in sublime form for Barcelona, defensively astute and calm as ever in possession. 

He barely found himself struggling with the distribution, always looked for ambitious vertical passes and played a sensational pass to earn the assist for Raphinha’s opening goal. However, he marked his man poorly for Rayo Vallecano’s second goal.

Andreas Christensen: 7

Christensen did well alongside Cubarsi in the back line, and while his lack of pace was evident at times when the opposition looked to counter, his intelligence allowed him to read the game a little bit faster than others.

The Danish footballer’s positioning and defensive contributions were promising, and his distribution was clear and even ambitious at times.

Pau Cubarsi: 7.5

Cubarsi continues to boss Barcelona’s defence with authority, and his post-World Cup confidence continues to show clearly.

He was reassured at the back, calm under pressure and an ever-reliable starting point for all of the team’s buildups. Cubarsi was the team’s leader at the back and is slowly growing into his role as the reference point in defence.

Jules Kounde: 6

Kounde was the one loose link in Barcelona’s lineup and defence, and it was evident from the get-go that the Frenchman lacked the same pressing fire and enthusiasm as the rest of the team.

The right-back made his first start of the season and looked relatively sluggish, and it comes as no surprise that Rayo Vallecano’s early opener was made possible owing to his lapse in positioning. 

Kounde scored a goal close to half-time and had it denied for a narrow offside, taking away even the one silver lining in his performance.

Marc Bernal: 8

The youngster was far more lively on Monday than he had looked in all of the team’s games so far, and he took up part of the responsibility in the buildup.

While he was defensively solid, it is clear that he still has a long way to go in terms of improving his interceptions and reading of the game. Bernal’s distribution and ability to retain the ball, however, were brilliant. Earned the assist for Yamal’s goal as well.

Pedri: 8.5

As always, Pedri dictated the tempo of the game and moved the ball around like clockwork, acting as the connecting piece between the defence and the attack.

His work-rate off the ball was as important as his control in possession, and he even had a couple of shots on goal which went completely off the mark. Played a more advanced role after Rodri’s entry and shifted into a more creative and less defensive presence.

Dani Olmo: 7

Olmo’s movements between the lines created a lot of fluidity in Barcelona’s buildup, allowing Raphinha to drop back and the wingers to drift inwards as the game demanded.

His control of the ball and ability to combine in tight spaces were critical in ensuring Barcelona’s fluid attack continued, but it is safe to say that Fermin Lopez’s absence was felt.

While Olmo did play a big part, he did not offer any direct threat on goal as Lopez does, and his efforts on goal were not up to the mark at any point.

Anthony Gordon: 8

Gordon made a menace of himself on the left flank and constantly looked to make runs behind the defence to break free into spaces.

Attempted more shots on goal than he did in the two opening games, but his low shots were either off-target or straight at the goalkeeper. Beyond that, his crosses were promising and his link-up play and work-rate off the ball were appreciable.

Completely created Barcelona’s third goal on the night with a vicious cross that was turned in for an own-goal. Racked up the assist for Raphinha’s second goal and Barcelona’s fourth as well.

Raphinha: 9.5

Raphinha is in unstoppable form. (Photo credit: X/FC Barcelona)

The captain was the one to open the scoring for Barcelona once again on the night, this time with one of his best finishes of the season. 

Receiving Espart’s brilliant ball, the Brazilian star turned away from the defender and pulled the trigger without hesitation, putting the ball into the back of the net. Once again scored in the second half with a thunderous shot off Gordon’s assist.

Beyond that, he was again the hardest-working player off the ball, lethal with his movements and promising with his development as a natural striker.

Lamine Yamal: 9.5

First goal of the season for Yamal. (Photo credit: X/FC Barcelona)

Lamine Yamal was finally back to his usual self, enjoying his football and dancing in the final third and in the opposition box.

The player finally joined the party on the night with a stunning goal curled into the top corner, marking his first goal of the new season. 

He was a constant attacking threat, took on defenders with ease and pumped in multiple crosses which should have been converted. Scored his second at the end of the game with another great finish in the bottom corner.