Barcelona vs. Crvena Zvezda: Player Ratings, Kounde's Impact
Barcelona secured a convincing 2-1 victory over Crvena Zvezda in their Champions League Group H clash, with Jules Kounde putting in a stellar performance. The French defender, who started at right-back, was a constant threat going forward and played a key role in both goals.
Kounde's impact on the game was undeniable, earning him a deserved spot as our Man of the Match. He was not only solid defensively, but also provided the assist for Barcelona's opening goal and played a key role in the build-up to the second. His all-around performance highlighted his growing influence in the Barcelona squad.
Here's a breakdown of the player ratings:
Barcelona
- Ter Stegen (7/10): Made a couple of crucial saves, but was otherwise untroubled.
- Kounde (9/10): Man of the Match. Dominant defensively, provided the assist for the opening goal, and was involved in the build-up to the second.
- Araujo (7/10): Strong and composed at the back.
- Christensen (7/10): Solid performance alongside Araujo, helped maintain a clean sheet for most of the match.
- Balde (7/10): Offered good support going forward, but his defensive positioning could be improved.
- Gavi (8/10): Energetic and dynamic, controlled the midfield and created chances for his teammates.
- De Jong (7/10): Played with composure and controlled the tempo of the game.
- Pedri (8/10): Linked up well with Gavi, provided creativity and accuracy in his passes.
- Dembele (7/10): Looked dangerous on the wing, but lacked the final product.
- Lewandowski (8/10): Scored the opening goal and was a constant threat to the Crvena Zvezda defense.
- Fati (7/10): Came on as a substitute and injected pace into the attack.
Crvena Zvezda
- Borjan (6/10): Made a few good saves, but ultimately conceded two goals.
- Dragović (6/10): Struggled to contain the Barcelona attack.
- Kangwa (5/10): Struggled to impact the game.
- Katai (6/10): Showed some flashes of brilliance, but lacked consistency.
- Ivanić (5/10): Had a quiet game.
- Ohi (6/10): Scored a consolation goal, but was largely ineffective.
Key Moments
- 20th minute: Lewandowski opened the scoring with a close-range finish after a brilliant assist from Kounde.
- 45th minute: Pedri doubled Barcelona's lead with a beautifully placed shot from outside the box.
- 82nd minute: Ohi scored a consolation goal for Crvena Zvezda with a long-range strike.
Conclusion
Barcelona's victory against Crvena Zvezda was a convincing one, with the team showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience. Jules Kounde's standout performance cemented his importance to the team, and his impact on the game was undeniable. With this win, Barcelona continues their strong start to the Champions League campaign and will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches.