Kounde 10, Lewandowski 9 | Crvena Zvezda 2-5 Barcelona: Player ratings

Barcelona took to the daunting field at Rajko Mitic Stadium late on Wednesday night in a game that turned out to be far more competitive than initially anticipated.

Hansi Flick did not underestimate the opposition and fielded a very strong lineup with few rotations in Belgrade and the first half was extremely tightly fought.

Defending deep in a low block, the hosts made it very difficult for Barcelona to create a tangible threat. At the other end, they looked to precisely undo the offside trap and gave the Catalans perhaps their toughest fight for 45 minutes.

Inigo Martinez opened the scoring but saw the lead nullified when Crvena Zvezda pulled one back. Just before half-time, Robert Lewandowski put the team ahead once more.

Quick-fire goals from Lewy and Raphinha after the break extended the lead to a comfortable three-goal cushion and put the result beyond doubt. Fermin Lopez added the cherry on the cake.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Red Star Belgrade 2-5 Barcelona.

Inaki Pena: 7

Crvena Zvezda’s well-timed balls past Barcelona’s defence tightly tested the offside trap and brought Pena into the game more often than he would have expected.

The youngster, however, did not offer too much resistance.

Should have done better to stop the hosts’ opener as he was once more very far up his line.

Gerard Martin: 6.5

Stepping in for Alejandro Balde, Martin was the weak link in the visitors’ defence and the targeted point of entry for Crvena.

Played Silas onside for their equaliser as he failed to stay focused on the offside trap.

Was not good enough in attack as he regularly misplayed his crosses, often straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Inigo Martinez: 8.5

A special night for the Basque defender as he opened the scoring for Barcelona with an ice-cool header and a well-times run early in the game.

Played an equally cool and composed role in defence, ever reliable with his distribution and in-game decision-making.

Pau Cubarsi: 8

The teenage defender was once more at the top of his game and often called into action on the Serbians’ rampant and sporadic counter-attacks. 

Did well to get away from their high press and was particularly impressive in holding Maksimovic at bay. Was taken off in the second half after suffering a concussion.

Jules Kounde: 10

The right-back was tasked with marking Red Star Belgrade’s ‘little Messi’ and did a phenomenal job in keeping the young Serbian winger quiet.

Regularly forayed into the final third and showcased his great understanding with Yamal.

Earned the assist for Lewandowski’s second with a wonderful cross from the right. Assisted Raphinha’s goal minutes later with a stunning cut-back.

Completed a hat-trick of assists in the 76th minute to Fermin Lopez.

Marc Casado: 8.5

Casado put up a monstrous shift as usual and was all over the place winning balls back for the Blaugrana.

Was outmuscled on several occasions by the opposition, but did largely well to stay tenacious regardless.

Frenkie de Jong: 7

The captain looked far from the leader one would expect on the field and slowed down the tempo of the game.

Operated at a gear lower than the rest of the team and was not nearly good enough with his passing range which was overly safe.

Was not very active off the ball either and looked to be the more laid-back of Barcelona’s two players in the double pivot. Slightly more inspired after the break.

Pedri: 8.5

The youngster pulled the strings in midfield for Barcelona, starting as the attacking midfielder for a change.

Combined sublimely with Yamal, Kounde and Casado to ensure the Catalans maintain comfortable possession and impetus. 

Turned up at a whole new level after the break as he looked to open up the Serbian defence with every touch.

Lamine Yamal: 9

Yamal was Barcelona’s primary attacking route through the first half as he dictated the play in the final third with his crosses and dribbles into the box.

Played an instrumental role in the buildup to the team’s second goal.

Should have had an assist or two to his name as he put up chances on a platter for both Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.

Raphinha: 8.5

The Brazilian was not as involved as he has been in recent games but was still in the thick of things and directly involved in Barcelona’s goals.

Provided a perfectly-timed ball into Martinez’s path to earn the assist for his opener with a set-piece before creating the chance for Lewandowski’s goal with a thunderous shot that clattered into the woodwork.

Fired a shot with a surgeon’s precision to make it four for Barcelona, putting the result to bed.

Robert Lewandowski: 9

The Polish striker scored his 98th Champions League goal on the night doing what he does best – poaching in the face of goal – and was at the right place at the right time to pounce on the rebound of Raphinha’s strike to give Barcelona the lead.

Missed a sitter early in the second period that would have put Barcelona 3-1 up. Scored minutes later to exert the same effect, getting on the end of Kounde’s cross.

Fermin Lopez: 8

The youngster came on as a substitute in the second half and put in a great shift with relentless pressure. Scored the team’s fifth goal with a simple tap-in.

Dani Olmo: 7

Entered the field as a substitute before the hour mark and did well with his witty combination play in tight spaces.