Barcelona Player Ratings: Olmo Double Leads to Dominant Espanyol Win
Barcelona continued their impressive start to the season with a convincing 3-1 victory over local rivals Espanyol in the Catalan derby. The match saw a standout performance from Dani Olmo, who bagged a brace and was instrumental in the Blaugrana's attacking dominance. Let's take a look at the individual player ratings from the game:
Barcelona
Marc-André ter Stegen (7/10): Made a couple of crucial saves, including a stunning stop from a powerful Espanyol volley. Ter Stegen remained composed throughout the game and was a reassuring presence in the Blaugrana defense.
Jules Koundé (8/10): Solid at the back, Koundé was a wall against the Espanyol attack. He was also a threat going forward, making dangerous overlapping runs and providing a constant threat down the right flank.
Ronald Araújo (7/10): Dominated his aerial duels, winning nearly every header in the box. Araújo was a strong presence in the heart of the defense and helped limit Espanyol's attacking opportunities.
Andreas Christensen (7/10): Consistent and calm in possession, Christensen formed a solid partnership with Araújo at the back. He was crucial in keeping Espanyol's strikers quiet and maintaining control of the game.
Alejandro Balde (8/10): The young left-back was a constant menace, providing a constant threat going forward. He was quick, direct, and delivered some dangerous crosses into the box.
Frenkie de Jong (7/10): Controlled the midfield with his trademark poise and precision passing. De Jong was a key player in linking defense to attack, ensuring the flow of the game was consistently in Barcelona's favor.
Gavi (8/10): A tireless workhorse in the middle, Gavi buzzed around the pitch, pressing relentlessly and creating numerous chances for his teammates. His energy and intensity were contagious and set the tone for the team's performance.
Pedri (7/10): Showed his usual composure and creativity in the final third. Pedri linked up well with his teammates and orchestrated many of Barcelona's attacking moves. His vision and passing range were key in the team's build-up play.
Dani Olmo (9/10): The star of the show. Olmo scored two brilliant goals, showcasing his exceptional technique and ability to find the back of the net. His movement off the ball and ability to create space for himself were impressive.
Robert Lewandowski (7/10): Always a threat in the box, Lewandowski was unlucky not to add to his goalscoring tally. He provided a strong focal point for the attack and drew attention from the Espanyol defense, creating space for his teammates.
Raphinha (6/10): Tried to make an impact but struggled to get into the game consistently. He was a constant threat on the wing, but his final ball lacked accuracy on several occasions.
Substitutes:
Ansu Fati (7/10): Came on in the second half and made an immediate impact, providing a fresh spark to the attack. He showed impressive dribbling skills and was involved in the buildup to Barcelona's third goal.
Ferran Torres (6/10): A lively presence, Torres looked to make a difference but lacked the time to truly impact the game. He showed some promising moments but ultimately his impact was limited.
Conclusion:
Barcelona's convincing win over Espanyol highlighted their impressive squad depth and their ability to dominate possession and create chances. Dani Olmo's standout performance and the team's overall fluidity and control were impressive, making it clear that the Blaugrana are poised for a strong season.