Garcia Sent Off: Barcelona Player Ratings vs Monaco
Barcelona faced a tough test against AS Monaco in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, ultimately securing a 1-1 draw in a match marred by a controversial red card for Alejandro Garcia. Despite the result, there were some positive performances, particularly from the younger players, while others struggled to find their footing. Here's a breakdown of the Barcelona player ratings:
Goalkeeper:
- Iñaki Peña (6.5/10): Peña had a solid performance, making a couple of crucial saves and displaying composure under pressure. While he wasn't overly tested, he did what was needed when called upon.
Defenders:
- Sergi Roberto (6/10): Roberto was reliable at right-back, providing solid defensive cover and contributing to the build-up play. He didn't offer much in terms of attacking threat, but his performance was steady.
- Jules Koundé (6/10): Koundé looked comfortable in the center of the defense, displaying his usual strength and solidity. However, he was caught out of position on a few occasions, leading to some dangerous chances for Monaco.
- Ronald Araújo (6/10): Araújo, despite being a defender, was involved in the build-up play and made some crucial tackles. He also demonstrated his aerial prowess, clearing several dangerous crosses.
- Alejandro Balde (7/10): Balde continued his impressive development, offering a constant threat down the left flank. He was unlucky not to score and his defensive work was also noteworthy.
Midfielders:
- Gavi (7.5/10): Gavi was arguably Barcelona's best player on the pitch. He controlled the midfield, dictating the tempo of the game and showcasing his impressive range of passing. His creativity and work rate were commendable.
- Oriol Romeu (6/10): Romeu brought experience and composure to the midfield. He provided a defensive shield for the backline and distributed the ball effectively.
- Pablo Torre (6.5/10): Torre impressed with his passing accuracy and vision. He created numerous chances and was a key part of Barcelona's attacking build-up play.
Forwards:
- Ferran Torres (6/10): Torres looked lively and dangerous, but his finishing was off. He created chances and linked up well with his teammates, but lacked the cutting edge to make a real impact.
- Ansu Fati (6/10): Fati showed glimpses of his potential, but he wasn't able to fully impose himself on the game. His movement was intelligent, but his final decision-making was inconsistent.
- Lamina Yamal (7/10): Yamal's performance was a bright spot for Barcelona. He was a constant threat down the right flank, showcasing his incredible dribbling skills and vision. He also impressed with his defensive work rate.
Substitutes:
- Alejandro García (5/10): Garcia was involved in a heated exchange with a Monaco player and was controversially sent off for a second yellow card. This incident overshadowed his contribution to the game, which was limited.
- Marcos Alonso (5/10): Alonso was a late substitute and didn't have much time to impact the game. He did offer some defensive solidity but struggled to make a mark.
- Abde Ezzalzouli (5/10): Ezzalzouli came on late in the second half but didn't make much of an impact.
Overall:
Barcelona showed promising signs in their pre-season friendly against Monaco. The performance of the younger players, particularly Yamal, Gavi, and Balde, was encouraging. However, the team struggled to find a consistent attacking rhythm and the red card to Garcia was a disappointing incident.
Key Takeaways:
- Yamal's potential is immense: The young winger showcased exceptional dribbling, passing, and defensive work rate.
- Gavi's leadership is growing: Gavi dictated the midfield tempo and displayed impressive maturity.
- Defensive solidity remains a concern: While the backline was solid, there were lapses in concentration leading to some dangerous chances for Monaco.
- The need for a clinical striker: Barcelona lacked a clinical striker to convert the chances they created.
Barcelona will continue their pre-season preparations in the coming weeks, looking to refine their tactics and build momentum for the upcoming season.
