Player Ratings as Blaugrana squander two-goal lead on the road
Barcelona squandered a two-goal lead in their LaLiga clash away at Celta Vigo, making it two games without a win for the Catalans. The draw gives their eternal rivals a chance to close the gap, with Los Blancos seven points behind them with two games in hand.
Brazilian star Raphinha scored in the 15th minute with the Catalans’ first shot on target before Robert Lewandowski seemed to wrap up the points in the 61st minute. Things started to unravel late in the game after Marc Casado got sent off for a second bookable offense in the 82nd minute.
Two minutes later, the hosts halved the deficit through Alfonso Gonzalez. Celta Vigo completed the comeback in the 86th minute when Javi Rodriguez set up Hugo Alvarez to send the home fans into raptures and split the points.
Barcelona player ratings:
Inaki Pena – 7/10
Inaki Pena will feel hard done by the result at the final whistle. The Spaniard made six saves and 17 recoveries but couldn’t prevent Celta Vigo from stealing a point.
Jules Kounde – 6/10
Jules Kounde had an exciting game for Barcelona today. He provided an assist and made an error that led to a goal for the hosts.
Pau Cubarsi – 6/10
The 17-year-old must take some of the blame for the result. He was part of a defense that fell asleep for four minutes, and his team lost two points.
Inigo Martinez – 6/10
Inigo Martinez, the oldest member of the Blaugrana defense, failed to provide the calming presence his side needed at the most crucial moment in the game.
Gerard Martin – 6.5/10
Gerard Martin was disappointing in the game for wholly different reasons from the rest of the defense. He misplaced 10 passes and was withdrawn at half-time.
Marc Casado – 4/10
Marc Casado was the architect of the Barcelona collapse in the game in many ways. His sending-off shook the LaLiga leaders, and they never recovered from his second booking. He also lost the most duels in the game (9) in an overall disappointing game from the youngster.
Pedri – 7/10
The Spanish midfielder was impressive during his time on the pitch. He played 75 minutes before his substitution and completed 89% of his 35 passes while making five recoveries.
Dani Olmo – 7/10
The Euro 2024 winner had an impressive game but could not add anything to the scoreboard in a game that ultimately needed Barcelona to score a third to bag all three points. He had a shot on target and created one chance in his 89 minutes on the pitch.
Raphinha – 8/10
The Brazilian was brilliant against Celta Vigo and bagged the opening goal to set Barcelona on the path to all three points. He was the most fouled player, getting fouled three times; he hit the woodwork once and won the most duels in the game (7).
Gavi – 7/10
The Spaniard had a solid game in the 75 minutes he was on the pitch and came off when his side was 2-0 up. He completed 85% of his passes and won one tackle during his time on the pitch.
Robert Lewandowski – 8/10
The veteran striker put in a dynamic performance and was rewarded with a goal in the second half. However, his neat finish did not earn him the honor of winning the game, thanks to defensive lapses in the game’s final minutes.
Barcelona Substitutes
Hector Fort – 6.5/10
The teenager came on in the second half and had a solid performance. His 80% pass completion and two tackles do not absolve him of the sin of being part of the defense that dissolved in the final 10 minutes of the game.
Fermin Lopez – 6/10
The Spaniard came on for 25 minutes and was part of the team that threw away a two-goal lead 11 minutes after his introduction.
Frenkie de Jong – 6/10
Frenkie de Jong came on for 25 minutes and was part of the team that surrendered a two-goal lead to the hosts at the death.
Pablo Torre – NA:
The midfielder came on late but lacked time to affect the game.
Pau Victor- NA:
Pau Victor came on late but did not have enough time to affect the game.
Edited by Ribin Peter