Kounde Stars: Barcelona Player Ratings vs Crvena Zvezda
Barcelona secured a comfortable 2-1 victory against Crvena Zvezda in their Champions League group stage match, with Jules Koundé leading the way with a standout performance. While the overall result was positive, several players had mixed outings, leaving room for improvement in subsequent matches. Here's a breakdown of the Barcelona player ratings:
Star Performers
Jules Koundé (9/10): The French defender was a rock at the back, showcasing his exceptional pace, tackling, and composure. He single-handedly shut down Crvena Zvezda's attacking threats, including a crucial goal-line clearance in the second half. Koundé's performance was a testament to his growing influence and leadership on the Barcelona defense.
Frenkie de Jong (8/10): The Dutch midfielder controlled the midfield with his usual grace and composure. He dictated the tempo of the game, distributed the ball intelligently, and created several chances for his teammates. De Jong's presence in the middle of the park was instrumental in Barcelona's dominance.
Ousmane Dembélé (7/10): The French winger provided the spark on the right flank, showcasing his impressive dribbling skills and creating havoc in the opposition defense. Dembélé's pace and quick footwork were a constant threat, leading to a well-taken goal in the first half.
Good Performances
Pedri (7/10): The young Spaniard continued his impressive form, displaying his trademark passing range and movement on the field. He orchestrated attacks and provided the necessary link between midfield and attack. However, he lacked the final product in the final third, failing to register any assists or goals.
Raphinha (6.5/10): The Brazilian winger had a mixed bag performance, showing flashes of brilliance with his intricate dribbling and crossing abilities. However, he often lost possession and was guilty of over-complicating things at times.
Room for Improvement
Robert Lewandowski (6/10): The Polish striker failed to score despite several promising opportunities, a rare sight for the prolific goal scorer. While he was involved in the build-up and created space for his teammates, his finishing lacked precision.
Sergio Busquets (6/10): The veteran midfielder had a decent game, holding his own in the midfield battles. However, he lacked the dynamism and passing accuracy that characterized his earlier years.
Sergi Roberto (5.5/10): The right-back struggled defensively against the pace of Crvena Zvezda's attackers. He lost possession several times and offered little going forward.
Ter Stegen (5.5/10): The German goalkeeper had a relatively quiet game, making a few routine saves. He looked shaky at times with his distribution and lacked the decisiveness expected of a top goalkeeper.
Overall: Barcelona's performance against Crvena Zvezda was a positive step in the right direction. While the team displayed some weaknesses, the dominant display and important win demonstrate their potential to make a strong impact in the Champions League. Koundé's star performance was a highlight, confirming his value to the team, and with further improvement, Barcelona will be a force to be reckoned with in the competition.