With the vital second leg against Luis Enrique’s men scheduled to take place in Catalonia midweek, Xavi rightly utilised the opportunity to give his overworked players some rest.
Simultaneously, however, the manager could not risk over-complacence for a defeat would mean the end of Barcelona’s already bleak hopes for the league title.
Joao Felix opened the scoring in the first half with an outrageous bicycle kick, but the team failed to double the lead despite several clear chances falling their way in the same period.
A similar theme repeated in the second half, preventing the visitors from extending their lead over Cadiz. Eventually, the game culminated with the 1-0 scoreline in Barcelona’s favour.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Cadiz vs Barcelona.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: 8
The German did a solid job between the sticks and was aided by a strong performance in defence. Made a good save to deny Navarro midway through the first half and a stunning flying save in the 77th minute en route to his sixth straight clean sheet in La Liga.
Marcos Alonso: 6
An average performance from the veteran Spaniard who recorded just one defensive action in 60 minutes. Moreover, he completed just one cross and three long balls of seven and eight attempts respectively.
Andreas Christensen: 7.5
Playing at centre-back after a long hiatus, Christensen fitted like a hand in a glove and dished out a stable and composed performance for 90 minutes. Completed 92% of his passes, four defensive actions and three long balls.
Pau Cubarsi: 7.5
Yes, Cubarsi is 17 and he is that good. Once again, the La Masia starlet dished out a performance mature beyond his years, albeit not flawless.
A couple of mistakes from Cubarsi gave Cadiz inroads in the first half but were well within the margin of error permitted for a young academy graduate leading the team’s defensive line.
His second-half performance, however, was more questionable as he was lucky to not concede two penalties, one for a handball and one for a foul.
Hector Fort: 7
The La Masia star started in his niche, at right-back, and did a fine job in covering defensively. Did not venture forward much, operating theoretically as a third centre-back alongside Christensen and Cubarsi.
Sergi Roberto: 7.5
The captain put in a commendable shift in midfield, not only aiding Oriol Romeu defensively on the break but actively pushing higher in attack. Created a big chance for Fermin Lopez with a clever header and was lucky to not register the assist.
Oriol Romeu: 6.5
Not a particularly memorable night for Romeu barring the fact that he received a rare start. Won five duels and three tackles on the field and was decent with his participation in the buildup, but was dribbled past with ease and often lost the ball under pressure.
Fermin Lopez: 7
Lopez was Barcelona’s most dynamic player on the field, always on the move and eyeing a vertical run to break Cadiz’s lines. Came painfully close to scoring late in the first half but had his strike cleared off the line.
Was relatively quiet in the second half.
Joao Felix: 9
The Portuguese winger’s overhead kick for Barcelona’s opener may not have been the most aesthetic of strikes, but it was beautifully flawed in its own way.
Apart from breaking the deadlock, however, Felix did not have a major role to play in the first half and did not involve in the buildup as much as he would have liked to.
Played well in the second half, operating with freedom and making fearless runs into the Cadiz box, even coming close to scoring.
Vitor Roque: 3
Not the half Roque would have wished for on his first start in La Liga, for he was completely walled off from the team and made no attempt to be involved in the buildup. Completed the first half with just two passes, one of which was accurate, and no shots on target.
Ferran Torres: 7.5
Starting on the right wing, Torres also suffered directly from the lack of an orchestrator in midfield. He was largely disconnected from the team in the opening half, managing just nine passes in 45 minutes.
Had a good chance to score close to the hour mark but had his shot well-defended.
Substitutes
Pedri: 7
The maestro’s introduction brought tangible stability to Barcelona’s stability and ball circulation in midfield. However, it was clear that he is still working towards regaining his best version.
Jules Kounde: 7
The Frenchman replaced Christensen in central defence and did well alongside Pau Cubarsi to hold the fort.
Lamine Yamal: 7.5
Came on in the 62nd minute and occupied his position on the right wing, pushing Torres to central attack. Did well to inject life on the flank and even came close to scoring from an audacious angle early in his cameo.
Raphinha: NA
Came on too late to make a tangible impact.
Marc Casado: NA
Came on in the 85th minute, does not warrant a rating.
