Barcelona 3-5 Villarreal: Player Ratings

Barcelona vs Villarreal always promises goals, and that is exactly the expectation with which neutrals must have tuned in tonight. And the two sides definitely did not disappoint.

The Yellow Submarines found a goal just before half-time, with a superb finish from Gerard Moreno before doubling their lead early in the second half through former Barcelona player Ilias Akhomach.

Barcelona turned the tide around on its head within 11 minutes, though, scoring three goals from the 60th-minute mark.

Ilkay Gundogan was the first one to halve Villarreal’s lead with a superb finish, before Pedri found a way through into the near post with his weaker foot.

Eventually, a Gundogan free-kick was nudged in by Eric Bailly, acting as a potential winner.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Villarreal found a way through against the run of play through Goncalo Guedes, who made no mistake with a bullet of a finish.

The visitors somehow found a way through in the 99th minute to score the winner, as Alexander Sorloth tumbled the ball in after a mistake from Ronald Araujo and Inaki Pena.

If that was not enough, Barcelona conceded a fifth from Morales after committing everyone forward.

After 15 goals in this fixture across both games, BU runs the player ratings for tonight’s draw.

Inaki Pena: 0

Provides absolutely no security to the backline. Too easy to catch out on the near post, and not dominant at all with his claiming and sweeping. Could not have done anything about any of first three goals, though, but made sure to make a mistake at the very end to give away the game.

Jules Kounde: 5

Was lucky the first Moreno goal got disallowed as his poor defensive performances continue. The Frenchman tried pushing forward, too, but to no avail.

Ronald Araujo: 2

Another average performance from Araujo, who was surprisingly easy to outpower by Sorloth and others. Helped create Barcelona’s third, before eventually helping Villarreal with their winner with a terrible loss of possession late in the game.

Andreas Christensen: 4

Terrible marking from Christensen as Moreno scored the opener for Villarreal. An otherwise very average performance as well, and deservedly off at half-time.

Hector Fort: 4

Too casual with the ball at times, and could not contain Ilias Akhomach on several occasions.

Ilkay Gundogan: 9

One of the only players trying something, Gundogan ended up creating five shooting chances by the end of the half, and followed it up with a superb second half.

Scored the first goal for Barcelona, and created the second one – albeit unintentionally -, before also setting up the third with his free-kick. Playing in an advanced position really brought out the best in him.

Oriol Romeu: 7

Made no mistakes, and did well on several occasions to recover the ball and create turnovers. Had to be sacrificed, though, with the team trailing 0-1 at half-time.

Frenkie de Jong: 5

Made a few confusing decisions with his passes, and on other occasions, was trying way too hard, as well.

Lamine Yamal: 8

The biggest difference maker for the third game running as he kept the attack ticking and trying to make something happen out of nothing. Could have scored one on another day.

Robert Lewandowski: 6.5

Disappeared once again during the first-half, often roaming over to the left wing and attempting fruitless cross. Much better second half, though, as he unintentionally assisted Gundogan and was far more involved, as well.

Joao Felix: 6

Attempted and pulled off the odd flick and take-on here and there, but did nothing substantial to write home about.

SUBSTITUTES:

Pedri: 8.5

A game-changing substitute, Pedri came on at half-time, and almost single-handedly changed the tempo of the game. His line-breaking passes helped push the team forward, and he also defended with intensity. Eventually all for nothing.

Joao Cancelo: 3

Pushed forward brilliantly and created danger with his inswinging passes and crosses. Was responsible for the second goal, though, giving away the ball to Ilias Akhomach.

Pau Cubarsi: 7.5

Could not do much about losing an aerial duel to Sorloth that led to the second goal, but definitely prevented one with a last-man tackle.

Ferran Torres: 6

Missed an easy tap-in, but his introduction really put life into the team as Barcelona were able to play more vertically.

Vitor Roque: N/A

Did not do enough to warrant a rating.