Barcelona player ratings from a night at the Spotify Camp Nou that was worth far more than the 2-0 that ended up on the board. Hansi Flick’s side battered Athletic Club in their rescheduled La Liga opener on Thursday, captain Raphinha put the Blaugrana ahead before the break, Fermin Lopez settled it late, and only Unai Simon stopped it becoming a rout.
Mundo Deportivo’s player-by-player report counted eight saves from the Athletic goalkeeper against 22 Barca shots worth 3.9 expected goals. Two more efforts came back off the woodwork. Here is how every Barca player rated.
Barcelona player ratings vs Athletic Club
Joan Garcia — 7
Made no save in the first half and was barely worked in the second, but his reading of the space behind the defence killed Athletic’s counters. Oihan Sancet’s shot off the post on 75 minutes was the only real scare. Two games, no goals conceded.
Eric Garcia — 7.5
At right-back again and increasingly convincing there. Athletic’s best first-half moments came down his side and he handled them, while his line-breaking passing was central to how quickly Barca moved through the mid-block. Off on 80.
Pau Cubarsi — 8
His first start of the season and he picked up exactly where he left off: calm, positionally perfect, tested by the Basque runs down the right and never once flustered. Andreas Christensen kept the shirt warm; Cubarsi has taken it straight back.
Gerard Martin — 7
Confident on the ball and comfortable alongside Cubarsi, with a pass completion rate above 90 per cent under pressure. The blemish was the error that forced Xavi Espart into the foul that earned a booking — one Athletic wanted upgraded to red.
Xavi Espart — 7.5
Another big night for the teenager handed the number 12 only days ago. His cross on 25 minutes found Raphinha for the header that struck the post, and he took a yellow card to stop an Athletic opening. Ended the game in midfield.
Marc Bernal — 7
Squeezed early by Athletic’s congestion in the middle, then grew into it, winning the ball back higher and steadying Barca’s rhythm before Flick’s big substitution.
Pedri — 8.5
The best outfield player on the pitch. Took the ball everywhere, had a goal chalked off for a Lamine Yamal offside in the build-up, and then split the Athletic back line with the pass that put Raphinha through. On this evidence the month off did him good.
Fermin Lopez — 8
A nuisance between the lines all night. Forced Simon into a strong save on 55, kept arriving in the box, and got his reward on 82 when Aymeric Laporte’s clearance from Karim Adeyemi’s cross ran straight to him. Three goals in two league games.
Lamine Yamal — 7
Everything but the finish. Denied twice by Simon, including point-blank with Anthony Gordon free alongside him, and rattled the woodwork. He never hid, and the volume of chances says the goals are coming.
Raphinha — 8.5
The captain led the press and led the line. Header off the post on 25, then the opener on 38, rounding Simon after Pedri’s pass. Three in two, level with Kylian Mbappe at the top of the scoring charts, and still doing the job of the centre-forward Barca have not signed.
Anthony Gordon — 7.5
A first start and an immediate fit. His width on the left stretched Athletic and dragged defenders away from Fermin and Pedri. Taken off on 80 to an ovation.
Barcelona substitutes vs Athletic Club
Rodri — 7
On for Bernal on 62 to a standing Camp Nou, the ovation of the night. Tidy, unhurried, exactly what you would expect from a man who has barely trained with his new teammates.
Dani Olmo — 6.5
Replaced Raphinha on 63 and inherited the central role, keeping the ball moving while Barca managed the game.
Karim Adeyemi — 7.5
The most decisive substitute. On for Gordon on 80, and within two minutes his run and delivery created the second goal. Twice went close himself late, Simon saving both.
Jules Kounde — 6.5
On for Eric Garcia on 80 with the game under control.
Joao Cancelo — 6.5
The last change, on for Pedri on 85, Espart shifting into midfield to see it out.
What the ratings say about Flick’s Barcelona
Two games, two wins, seven goals scored and none conceded. That record put Barca back on top of La Liga on goal difference ahead of Real Madrid, Sevilla and Real Betis, per Mundo Deportivo. Athletic, who have not won a league game at the Camp Nou since November 2001, are bottom.
The one honest criticism is the one that has followed this squad all summer: a team creating 3.9 expected goals should not be winning 2-0. Flick’s answer for now is a false nine by committee, and it produced two goals from two different players doing that job. Rayo Vallecano visit on Monday. The striker debate will keep running — but so, quite happily, will Barca.
Sources: Mundo Deportivo, Mundo Deportivo’s live match report and Barca Blaugranes.
