Barcelona Player Ratings: Monaco Loss, Garcia Sent Off
Barcelona's pre-season tour took a disappointing turn on Wednesday as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to AS Monaco. The loss, coupled with the sending off of Eric Garcia, left fans with more questions than answers ahead of the new season. Here's a breakdown of the Barcelona players' performances in the match:
Starting XI:
- Ter Stegen (5/10): The German goalkeeper was largely a spectator in the first half, but couldn't do much about Monaco's three goals. He seemed uncertain on a couple of occasions and couldn't prevent the team from conceding early.
- Koundé (6/10): The French defender started the game well, showing his usual composure and strength in defense. He had some decent touches going forward but was largely limited to defensive duties.
- Eric Garcia (4/10): Garcia's evening was overshadowed by a needless red card in the first half. The defender mistimed a tackle, leading to his dismissal. While he started the game well, the red card ultimately impacted the team's performance.
- Balde (6/10): The young left-back showed glimpses of his talent with some impressive runs down the flank. He was energetic and provided an attacking outlet, but was susceptible defensively at times.
- Gavi (7/10): One of Barcelona's brightest sparks, Gavi showcased his energy and tenacity throughout the match. He was constantly pressing, creating chances, and trying to dictate the tempo. He was a constant threat in the final third.
- Pedri (6/10): The Spaniard struggled to find his rhythm in the midfield, facing a lack of support from his teammates. He was often isolated and couldn't dictate the pace of the game effectively.
- De Jong (5/10): Despite his recent transfer saga, De Jong started the game. He was somewhat quiet in midfield and didn't manage to impose himself on the game. He lacked the creativity and dynamism that he usually offers.
- Raphinha (6/10): The Brazilian winger started brightly, showcasing his dribbling skills and ability to create danger. He lacked a bit of accuracy in the final third and didn't manage to find the back of the net.
- Lewandowski (6/10): The Polish striker was relatively quiet for the majority of the game. He was starved of service and didn't manage to create any clear-cut chances. He looked a bit frustrated at times, but his impact on the game was minimal.
- Dembélé (7/10): One of Barcelona's most dangerous players on the night, Dembélé caused Monaco's defense problems with his pace and dribbling skills. He was involved in the build-up to Barcelona's goal and was a constant threat throughout the game.
- Ferran Torres (5/10): Started the game but didn't make much of an impact. He struggled to get into the game and wasn't able to create any significant chances.
Substitutes:
- Sergi Roberto (5/10): Came on in the second half but couldn't influence the match significantly. He provided some experience to the midfield but didn't manage to turn the tide of the game.
- Ansu Fati (6/10): The young forward brought some much-needed energy and attacking intent after coming on as a substitute. He created a couple of chances but was unable to score.
- Kessie (6/10): Showed flashes of his quality, adding physicality and drive to the midfield after coming on as a substitute. He made a couple of impactful runs but ultimately couldn't change the result.
- Iñaki Peña (N/A): Came on late in the match but didn't have enough time to make a meaningful impact.
Overall:
The defeat to Monaco highlighted a few issues for Barcelona. The lack of midfield control, especially in the first half, allowed Monaco to dictate the game. The team's defensive frailties were also exposed, leading to a series of conceded goals. While individual performances were mixed, the team's overall lack of cohesion and tactical awareness is a concern going into the new season.
It's important to remember that this was a pre-season friendly, and Barcelona still have time to iron out these issues before the start of the La Liga campaign. The team needs to work on their defensive organization, midfield control, and overall chemistry before they can realistically challenge for the title.
