A comedy of errors at the Olympic Montjuic Stadium tonight as Barcelona hosted Valencia for gameweek 33 of La Liga.
The Catalans were pushing for a spot in next season’s Spanish Super Cup, and ahead of their game vs Girona next weekend, nothing short of a win would have sufficed tonight.
Fermin Lopez was the star of the show in the first-half, and came up with the goods at the first time of asking with a spectacular header from a Raphinha cross.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ronald Araujo did not let Barça’s lead stand for too long, though, with the former giving away the ball in front of an open goal, and the latter conceding a penalty.
Robert Lewandowski came up clutch in the second-half, though, scoring two headers from two set-pieces and getting Barcelona all three points.
The Pole did not stop at his second, though, and took over free-kick duties from Ferran Torres late in the game to score a beautiful free-kick to ensure his second hattrick in Barcelona colours.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 2.5
Ter Stegen made a huge mistake that started the downhill trend of the game as he was unnecessarily tried to chip Hugo Duro, but was caught out.
Jules Kounde: 7
More than decent in possession, Kounde was in the right place at the right time more often than not on both ends of the pitch. Stopped a counter-attack or two single-handedly, and aided Fermin and Yamal going forward.
Ronald Araujo: 6
Much like the PSG game, Araujo made another emotionally-charged challenge – on Peter Gonzalez -, that led to a penalty. He was having a rather solid game before that, too.
Had several attempts at goal through corners while trying to make up for his error, and eventually came up with the assist for Lewandowski’s goal – completely unintentionally, though.
Pau Cubarsi: 5
Uncharacteristically sloppy in possession, Cubarsi looked far from his best tonight. Was replaced at the break for Inigo Martinez.
Joao Cancelo: 6
Decent going forward, Cancelo was able to take up the space left by Raphinha by dragging the fullback in. He had a solid sight at goal, too but was kept out by Giorgi Mamardashvii.
Fermin Lopez: 8
The star of the show tonight, Fermin made the most of his start once again, and was on the scoresheet for the second game running as he found space inside the box and headed in a brilliant header.
Should have stayed on the pitch as the only player making off-the-ball runs.
Andreas Christensen: 7
Christensen was as composed as he can be while playing as a 6. Controlled the game like a seasoned pivot and held his ground well.
Ilkay Gundogan: 7.5
Had too much responsibilty off-the-ball agianst Valencia’s deep-block, and even on a quieter night for him, came up with an assist.
Lamine Yamal: 7.5
The magnet for the ball today, Yamal kept stretching the pitch to make space in Valencia’s deep-block. Made some tremendous runs into the box, and helped get Mamardashvili sent off with good pressing.
Robert Lewandowski: 9.5
A ghostly first-half followed by an absurdly clutch performance from Lewandowski, who scored a hattrick. A superb first goal from a corner, followed by an instinctive header into an open net and a sensational free-kick to top it all off.
What a way to round show up after all the talk about his future earlier today. Man of the match.
Raphinha: 7
A bang-average outing for Raphinha for his own standards recently. Could not find space behind Thierry Correia, but did well to stretch the pitch and defend on the counter. Also came up with the assist for Fermin Lopez with an incredible cross.
Sergi Roberto: 7
Composed and mobile, Roberto put up a solid second-half performance. Complemented Gundogan and Pedri well, especially out of possession.
Inigo Martinez: 7.5
Came on at the break, and almost immediately made an incredible tackle inside the box that was a millisecond away from being a penalty. Inigo’s distribution was top class, too, as always.
Joao Felix: 5.5
Attempted a fair few solutions, none of which eventually worked out for Felix after coming on.
Pedri: 7
A brilliant cameo once again, Pedri showed his quality while defending the first counter-attack itself, making a brilliant last-man tackle inside the box.
Ferran Torres: 6
A decent cameo from Ferran, who clearly wanted to score tonight tonight. Won the free-kick that led to the fourth goal, as well.
