Cubarsi 8, Raphinha 5.5 | Newcastle United 1-1 Barcelona: Player Ratings | OneFootball

Barcelona visited St. James Park on Tuesday night to take on Newcastle United in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.

As expected by Hansi Flick and Co., they were greeted by a well-oiled and highly-intense host team who were geared up to give their everything to capitalise on Barcelona’s high-line.

The English side started the game with real intensity, and maintained that level until close to the very end of the game. As a result, they did have better chances on the night.

Barcelona, however, were up for the task defensively and did well to hold off the repeated waves of Newcastle United attacks. In the very end, however, the hosts did score one goal to take a 1-0 lead on aggregate.

In the final second of the game, however, Dani Olmo won a penalty for Barcelona for which Lamine Yamal stepped up and converted.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Newcastle United 1-1 Barcelona.

Joan Garcia: 7

The Barcelona goalkeeper was up for the task on the night, stepping up to deny Newcastle any chance on goal despite their high press and intensity. Did spill the ball on a couple of occasions but did not lead to anything untoward.

Misjudged the ball for the eventual goal but cannot be really faulted for the error as the defending was poor.

Joao Cancelo: 6.5

Cancelo started at left-back on the night and did well to add attacking width to Barcelona’s forward department. 

He did not shoulder too much defensive responsibility on the night and connected well with Pedri and Raphinha.

Gerard Martin: 8

Barcelona’s centre-backs were brilliant. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The youngster started at centre-back despite the initial confusion in the lineup and did exceedingly well to partner Pau Cubarsi once again.

His reading of the game was clean, distribution noteworthy and challenges were well timed to cut off Newcastle’s attacks more often than not.

Pau Cubarsi: 8

Cubarsi delivered yet another strong showing at centre-back in a high-intensity game, leading the defence by example with his distribution and interceptions.

Seemingly played in a deeper line than usual, and was excellent in holding the offside trap well despite the lower line.

Ronald Araujo: 6.5

Araujo entered the starting lineup as a surprise after Eric Garcia faced discomfort, and thus featured as a right-back on the night.

It came as no surprise that he could not contribute much in attack as a full-back but he was defensively solid and helped curb the hosts’ aerial threat with his physical presence.

Marc Bernal: 6

Bernal earned yet another start in a high-stakes game and did well to provide stability alongside Pedri in midfield.

At times, he did struggle to keep up with the tempo, but his decision-making was calm more often than not. Was vital for the team’s pressing structure off the ball.

Pedri: 8

As always, Pedri was the one player who had answers to Newcastle’s press as he twisted and turned out of the pressure with ease time and time again.

His comfort on the ball bought his team time in attack and possession and gave them the little control they had at St. James Park.

Fermin Lopez: 6.5

The young midfielder earned the start over Dani Olmo but could not make an impact in the final third as much as he would have liked to owing to Barcelona’s suboptimal play in the final third.

His press was vital for Barcelona and he did occasionally get into a good position. Had the team’s best half-chance in the first half.

Raphinha: 5.5

Raphinha had a shocker of a game for the most part and looked unconvincing in his role on the left flank.

The Brazilian was off right from the get-go, both with his movements and his shots. His decision-making was sloppy, as were his passes, and he did not get much better even after the break.

Lamine Yamal: 7

Not Lamine’s best night. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Yamal was electric every time he got on the ball, but the issue for Barcelona was that he did not get on the ball half as much as the manager would have fancied.

Was a menace down the right-flank, taking on defenders and even drifting centrally regularly to get a view on goal. Stepped up for the penalty in the final second of the game and converted it with ease.

Robert Lewandowski: 5.5

A woeful night for Barcelona’s attack. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The Polish striker was given the nod ahead of Ferran Torres for the big UCL night but unfortunately did not get into any good scoring position owing to poor service and attacking play by the team.

Dani Olmo: 7

Came on as a substitute and won a penalty in the final seconds of the game.