Cadiz, often labeled as Barcelona’s kryptonite, with their cagey low block presented innumerable obstacles to Barcelona.
Barca knocked on the visitors’ door relentlessly and after much anticipation, finally barged through in the dying embers of the game through Pedri’s goal.
With a second wind saving face, Barca picks up their first three points of the season and are back to winning ways.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: 7.5/10
The German shot-stopper enjoyed a clean sheet as he was once again an assuring presence between the sticks. His ball playing was as tidy as ever and he made a crucial save in a 1v1 scenario, which saved Barca from trailing.
Jules Kounde: 7.5/10
Despite his disdain for the right-back position, Kounde exercised his duties with maturity. When Frenkie ventured forward, the Frenchman guarded the back line. Moreover, his late runs in the final third caught Cadiz off guard.
Christensen: 7/10
The Danish stalwart marshaled Barca’s back-line from the halfway line as he was key in the build-up phase. However, Christensen’s inclination to push up saw him mispositioned at times when Cadiz were on the counter.
Frenkie de Jong: 8/10
Deployed as a center-back, the Dutchman drove forward from defense effortlessly. He won a majority of his duels, evaded the press calmly, and was a source of tranquility while playing out from the back. Off the ball, his positioning was rather risky though.
Ilkay Gundogan: 8.5/10
The German performed his role as a controller to a tee. He added a lot of pausa to Barca’s plays, prolonging the possession spell, and lengthening the overload until the opposition lept forward. A case could be made of him being more effective at attacking spaces higher up the field, though.
Nonetheless, Gundogan blossomed in midfield and produced a terrific through ball for Pedri’s assist.
Alejandro Balde: 6.5/10
Balde was from bedazzling best but managed to hold width on the left flank and bomb forward to create cut-backs, which yielded no results but kept Cadiz on their toes.
Oriol Romeu: 7/10
Romeu was diligent as ever from the base of midfield, as he recycled possession habitually and won duels to break down the visitors’ attacks. His runs into the box created a few promising opportunities too.
Pedri Gonzalez: 9/10
Stationed as the high left interior, Pedri saw a great deal of the ball. Nifty in tight areas and a breath of fresh air between the lines, he produced the Blaugrana’s most threat centrally. Moreover, the Canary Islander’s diagonal balls into the opposition area manufactured some clear-cut chances.
Finally, after much anticipation, his well-taken goal in the 81st minute after constructing the move broke the deadlock.
Gavi: 7/10
Gavi did not see much of the ball as he was berthed higher up the field in a central role. But his aggression was a brilliant sight and he looked involved with his compatriots at the edge of the Cadiz box.
Robert Lewandowski: 4/10
The Pole was simply a graveyard for possession. He failed to muster much with his touches on the ball and looked exceedingly clumsy. To make matters worse, Lewandowski missed a bucketload of solid scoring opportunities. He managed to save face with a flicked assist for Ferran Torres.
Lamine Yamal: 8/10
When Barca were backed into a corner, they looked for Yamal, and that speaks volumes about the player’s significance. With isolations created for the Moroccan, he was free to take on players. His clipped crosses paired with his slick dribbling engendered the best opportunities for Barcelona.
Fati: 7/10
Was bright with his ability to attack spaces and scored a goal that was unfortunately rendered offside.
Abde: 7.5/10
The Moroccan took players on regularly, tested the keeper with a brilliant shot, and constantly looked to challenge the impenetrable Cadiz low block.
Eric Garcia: 6/10
Garcia played some promising balls and was largely untested with a late cameo.
Sergi Roberto: 6/10
Replaced Oriol Romeu and fared well keeping possession ticking
Ferran Torrez: 7.5
Came on in the 85th minute, but ensured he left the pitch with his name stamped on the scoreboard. Ferran continued his amazing goalscoring form with a great run in transition and a perfectly placed finish.
