Result, Player Ratings, And What We Learned

FC Barcelona took on Almeria away in La Liga on Sunday. Here’s the result, some player ratings, and what we learned from the tie.

Almeria 1 – 0 FC Barcelona

El Bilal, 24

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen

Couldn’t do much with El Bilal’s opener and prevented a second from going in before preventing a third in stoppage time. 7 – MAN OF THE MATCH

Jordi Alba

Picked over Alejandro Balde, he was good going forward but found wanting in his own half. 5

Andreas Christensen

One of his poorest showings for Barca thus far and has to shoulder the blame for the goal. Stopped one of Almeria’s early second half moves with an excellent tackle, however. 5

Eric Garcia

His second consecutive league start saw the ex-Manchester City man lack bite in duels and tackles. 5

Sergi Roberto

Played as a right back on this occasion, he did not fair well advancing down the field and was caught out defensively like Alba. 5

Sergio Busquets

Started this one as poor as he was in the second half at Old Trafford on Thursday and didn’t improve much following the interval. Rushing him back from injury considering his age might not have been the best idea. 5

Frenkie de Jong

Struggled to dictate the pace of the game and should have done better on a late break. Needs to turn things round for the important games coming up. 5

Franck Kessie

Not as precise with his passing as he was in the first half against the Red Devils. Hooked for Raphinha at half time. 5

Gavi

Started well and was a pressing beast as always. Failed to convert a blocked shot early in the second half but never quit. 6

Robert Lewandowski

His post-World Cup slump continues, and is a grave concern for Barca heading into the business end of the season. 5

Ferran Torres

Failed to take full advantage of a second consecutive start in the league like Garcia. Wasn’t bad putting crosses into the box, one of which Raphinha could have met 20 minutes from time. 6

Raphinha

Brought on for Kessie as Xavi switched to a 4-3-3 and picked up a yellow for taking a free kick before the referee was ready. Started one of the best moves in the second ’45, which Gavi couldn’t terminate with a goal, and played Roberto into the box shortly after. Should have converted Ferran Torres’ cross. 6

Ronald Araujo

Was missed in defence but had a decent go as a striker in the dying minutes. 6

What we learned

Barca finally had to lose one in La Liga, but are they hitting a bump in the road at the worst possible time?

Considering the defeat to Manchester United in the Europa League, they have now lost their last two matches going into Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Madrid.

The lead over Los Blancos at the top of the table is seven points, but failing at the Bernabeu will not bode well for a home Clasico in the Spanish top flight on March 19.

On days like today, Barca missed Pedri and Ousmane Dembele dearly, who will hopefully both be fit to play the latter mentioned fixture.

One positive is that Pablo Torre was allowed to pick up some minutes. However throwing him into the Lions’ Den with the game already on the verge of being lost wasn’t the best environment for him to thrive.