Araujo 8, Pedri 8 | Barcelona 2-1 Girona: Player ratings | OneFootball

Barcelona and Girona took to the field in the season’s first Catalan derby on Saturday afternoon and the game was far closer than was expected.

While Hansi Flick’s men were indeed coming off a two-defeat streak, Girona were seen as an opponent they could comfortably get past given their disastrous form this season.

The visitors, however, exposed Barcelona’s high defensive line repeatedly and were unlucky not to have gone ahead after equalising the hosts’ Pedri-gifted lead.

Both sides continued to make chances after making it 1-1, but neither found the back of the net. Truth be told, Girona created the better chances and Barcelona’s defence was in shambles once again.

A late goal from Ronald Araujo in extra-time, however, won the hosts the game when all hope seemed lost and ensured that they record a win coming back after the international break.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Barcelona 2-1 Girona.

Wojciech Szczesny: 7

The veteran goalkeeper was often left abandoned by the dysfunctional defence to fend off Girona’s lethal counterattacks on his own.

While several were luckily off target, he did pull off some good saves to keep the team in the game.

Alejandro Balde: 6

The left-back pushed up high in attack and combined well with Marcus Rashford on the flank, although he was left chasing in defence on multiple occasions.

Looked reasonably sharp in possession but was still lacking the final product.

Eric Garcia: 5.5

The defensive plan has to change for Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The Spaniard was chosen on the night to be Pau Cubarsi’s partner and did well in possession and in terms of distribution. He was, however, completely lost in the offside trap along with the rest of his teammates and looked helpless in stopping counterattacks.

Pau Cubarsi: 5.5

Cubarsi was vital in defence and playing the ball through but still struggled in holding off against Girona’s sudden counterattacks and balls over the top. Not much he could do to stop Axel Witsel’s bicycle kick despite being the man marking him.

Scored at the hour mark but had it bizarrely disallowed for a foul in the buildup.

Jules Kounde: 5

Kounde was decent in defence but made several individual errors that directly led to Girona counter-attacks. He was very often exposed at the back and left scampering towards his goal to defend against the counters.

Marc Casado: 6

The La Masia graduate’s distribution was good on the night but he too did not add much of a defensive wall in terms of holding off the opposition counters despite being the man placed just ahead of both centre-backs.

He did, however, hand Pedri the freedom to venture more forward than usual, and even combined well with the midfield.

Frenkie de Jong: 8

The Dutchman was crucial in keeping possession through Girona’s press and worked the ball towards the forwards with good effect.

Combined well with Yamal and even had a chance to score with a volley but saw it saved by the goalkeeper. Earned the assist for Araujo’s late winner on the night.

Pedri: 8

One of the bright spots of Barcelona’s night. (Photo by Paul Miller/Getty Images)

The Ballon d’Or nominee did make some individual errors on the night but was one of the team’s better players, especially considering that it was his moment of genius that gave Barcelona the lead.

His goal, after all, was no mean feat as he took the ball past several Girona defenders and deceptively passed it into the back of the goal giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Toni Fernandez: 6

The youngster earned an unexpected start on the night and was promising in tight situations, combining well with the forwards and midfielders.

He did not, however, get into good passing positions as often as the manager would have liked and gradually grew out of the game as the half passed.

Lamine Yamal: 7.5

The Ballon d’Or runner-up returned from injury and did not look completely out of touch, although it was clear that he was not pushing himself physically yet.

Carved out some decent chances from the flank and led the attack, although he was rusty with some of his deliveries and crosses.

Marcus Rashford: 8

The English forward started on the flank, albeit in a slightly more uncomfortable role as Balde occupied the position out wide and forced him into a slightly more central role.

Combined well but did not quite threaten on goal as much as he did in recent games. Came painfully close to scoring from a free-kick but was denied by the woodwork. Further, he was the only player desperately trying on goal even after the break.

Fermin Lopez: 7.5

The young midfielder also made his return from injury on the night and made Barcelona’s attack more direct immediately after coming on in the second half.

His shots on target created chances of substance, although none found their way into the back of the net.

Ronald Araujo: 8

Barcelona’s hero on the night. (Photo by Paul Miller/Getty Images)

The centre-back came on as a centre-forward for Barcelona late in the game given the injury situation and the gamble paid off for Hansi Flick as the Uruguayan star scored a clutch goal in extra-time to hand his team the three points.