Barcelona player ratings against Atlético: Cubarsí red threatens Champions League semi

It was a night to forget for Barcelona fans, with young Pau Cubarsi being sent off in the first half and the remaining 10 men conceding two goals with no reply. Here’s how we summarized each of the performances. It wasn’t all negative...

Barça players assessed after Atlético loss

Joan García: He did not have much to do. In fact, the only two shots on target both ended up in the net. He might have done a little more on Julián Álvarez’s free kick, though the finish was flawless, curling into the top corner. On Sørloth’s goal, it was a point-blank finish.

Jules Koundé: After a shaky opening spell, when Ademola Lookman had him in trouble, the Frenchman gradually settled into the game and managed to contain the Nigerian, who was substituted in the second half.

Pau Cubarsí: The unfortunate central figure of the game. In a play where he tried to chase down Giuliano Simeone, he caught him just enough to bring him down. The referee initially showed a yellow card, but VAR intervened and it was upgraded to red.

Gerard Martín: He avoided a yellow card, which means he will be available for the second leg. A strong performance from the academy product, helping João Cancelo with his defensive cover and getting ahead of the opposition with his pace and intensity. He nearly scored with a shot from outside the box.

• All set for Champions League second legs

João Cancelo: He continues to play at a high level, charging up and down the left flank with purpose and assurance. He came close to scoring after a fine individual move, but Juan Musso kept the ball out.

Eric García: He played as the holding midfielder, once again showing his remarkable versatility. He stayed alert to transitions throughout, cutting out counterattacks. He also protested furiously after a very clear handball by Pubill, who picked up the ball inside the area.

Pedri: He only played the first half. The Canary Islander did not look sharp, giving the ball away more than once and struggling in one-on-one situations. Hansi Flick chose to rest him with the upcoming games in mind, especially after the team went down to 10 men.

Dani Olmo: The Terrassa-born midfielder played as an attacking midfielder, with mixed results. What stood out was his intensity, always looking to threaten the opposition goal. He never stopped pushing. In the dying seconds, he had a great chance but sent the ball wide.

Lamine Yamal: Superb. The best player on the field, including Atlético’s. Absolutely decisive and masterful in every sense. He dominated every action and was a constant nightmare for the opposition. A genius, plain and simple.

Robert Lewandowski: He was completely anonymous. In this kind of high-intensity game, the Polish striker is starting to show real problems when it comes to staying competitive.

Marcus Rashford: A key figure for better and worse. On the positive side, he dominated play down his flank,creating plenty of chances and giving the team real verticality. On the negative side, he missed far too much. He cannot be this inconsistent.

Substitutions

Fermín López: Surprisingly, he did not start. Even so, he made a huge impact after the break, creating a flood of clear chances and winning every duel. A true all-action player.

Gavi: He played the entire second half at a good level. The midfielder from Los Palacios showed his best traits, especially his work rate and willingness to sacrifice himself for the team.

Ronald Araújo: The Uruguayan came on to play at right back.

Ferran Torres: He offered very little.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.