Barcelona Player Ratings: Monaco Defeat, Garcia Dismissal
Barcelona's pre-season tour took a sharp turn for the worse in their recent friendly against Monaco. The Blaugrana were defeated 3-1 in a performance that left many questioning the team's preparedness for the upcoming season. The match also saw the dismissal of manager, Rafa Marquez, following a heated altercation with the opposing team's staff.
Here are the player ratings from the match:
Goalkeepers
- Inaki Pena (6/10): Pena had a mixed bag of a performance. He made some crucial saves, but was ultimately unable to stop all three of Monaco's goals. His distribution was also slightly erratic, which impacted Barcelona's build-up play.
Defenders
- Alejandro Balde (7/10): Balde was one of the few bright spots for Barcelona. He was constantly pushing forward, providing attacking width down the left flank. His defensive duties were also solid, making several key interceptions.
- Jules Kounde (6/10): Kounde was solid in defense, winning his fair share of tackles. However, he seemed less comfortable when pushed forward in attack, lacking the usual flair we've come to expect from him.
- Andreas Christensen (5/10): Christensen struggled against Monaco's physicality. He was often caught out of position and was easily beaten in aerial duels.
- Sergi Roberto (6/10): Roberto showed some of his typical defensive grit, but he was unable to influence the game significantly.
Midfielders
- Gavi (7/10): Gavi was Barcelona's most dynamic midfielder, constantly looking to drive forward and create chances. He had a strong presence in midfield and was involved in many dangerous attacks.
- Frenkie de Jong (6/10): De Jong was solid in possession, but his passing accuracy was a bit off. He struggled to control the tempo of the game and didn't offer the creative spark that Barcelona needed.
- Oriol Romeu (5/10): Romeu struggled to assert his influence on the game. He was overrun by Monaco's midfield and was unable to provide the necessary defensive stability.
Forwards
- Raphinha (5/10): Raphinha was largely ineffective in the final third. He struggled to link up with his teammates and was often dispossessed.
- Ansu Fati (6/10): Fati showed glimpses of his potential, but he was unable to capitalize on the opportunities presented to him. His finishing was off, and he lacked the decisiveness to make a real impact on the game.
- Ferran Torres (5/10): Torres looked lost on the pitch. He was unable to create anything going forward and was often anonymous in the attacking line.
Overall
Barcelona's performance against Monaco was a worrying sign. The team looked disjointed and lacked the fluency and creativity that has become synonymous with the Blaugrana in recent seasons. The absence of several key players, including Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Ousmane Dembélé, certainly contributed to the team's struggles, but the overall lack of sharpness and defensive solidity was concerning. The dismissal of Rafa Marquez also added further uncertainty to a pre-season that has been far from ideal.
With the new season just around the corner, Barcelona will need to find their rhythm and regain their confidence quickly if they want to challenge for major trophies. A strong performance against their next opponent is crucial, as is a clear plan and strategy from the new manager, Xavi Hernandez, to help the team regain their winning form.
