In a freezing encounter at the Fortuna Arena, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona secured a vital 4-2 victory over Slavia Prague.
While the scoreline suggests comfort, the Catalans had to navigate a chaotic first half and a worrying injury to Pedri to keep their top-eight Champions League hopes alive.
Below are the player ratings and performance breakdowns for the squad in their Matchday 7 clash.
Joan Garcia: 6.0
The goalkeeper was largely blameless for the two goals conceded, both of which stemmed from set-piece scrambles. He remained a pillar of composure during Slavia’s high-pressure periods, pulling off several sharp saves and maintaining his trademark distribution from the back.
Jules Kounde: 5.0
It was a night to forget for the Frenchman, who appeared sluggish and disconnected from the pace of the game. Kounde struggled to contain Slavia’s wide threats and offered virtually nothing in transition, leading to him being a defensive liability for much of his time on the pitch.
Eric Garcia: 7.5
Continuing his impressive resurgence, Eric was the glue holding a shaky defense together. When the team faltered early on, he stepped up with vital interceptions and intelligent positioning. His ability to progress the ball remains a massive asset for Flick’s system.
Gerard Martin: 6.5
After a nervy start characterized by rushed clearances, Martin showed impressive mental fortitude to settle down. He looked far more comfortable as the game progressed, eventually moving to his natural left-back role where he provided a much-needed balance to the flank.
Alejandro Balde: 6.0
Balde provided his typical explosive bursts and recovery speed, but the old frustrations remained. While his athleticism helped pin Slavia back at times, his final ball and decision-making in the attacking third lacked the precision required to truly punish the Czech side.
Frenkie de Jong: 8.0
A truly dominant display from the captain. In the absence of a fully firing Pedri, De Jong dictated the tempo and moved the ball with surgical precision. Despite a late booking that rules him out of the Copenhagen clash, his assist and overall control were the primary reasons Barca dominated the middle.
Pedri: 6.0
This was a rare “off” night for the midfield maestro. He struggled to find his rhythm and was effectively neutralized by Slavia’s physical marking. His night ended in heartbreak near the hour mark as he limped off with a hamstring issue, casting a shadow over the result.
Fermin Lopez: 9.0
The standout performer of the night, Fermin continues to prove his critics wrong. His brace was clinical—showcasing both his predatory instincts in the box and his long-range shooting. With 20 goal contributions this season, he has become indispensable to this lineup.
Raphinha: 6.5
While his work rate and defensive pressing were as high as ever, the Brazilian lacked his usual spark in the final third. Without Lamine Yamal on the opposite wing to draw attention, Raphinha found it difficult to find space and failed to register a goal or assist in a four-goal haul.
Roony Bardghji: 6.0
Handed a starting opportunity, the youngster struggled to impose himself on the match. Often isolated due to Kounde’s lack of overlapping runs, Roony couldn’t replicate his recent form and was substituted early in the second half.
Robert Lewandowski: 7.0
A bizarre but ultimately productive night for the veteran. Lewandowski scored at both ends, inadvertently turning a corner into his own net before redeeming himself with a quintessential striker’s finish. While his touch was heavy at times, his presence remained vital for the win.
Substitutes
Dani Olmo: 7.0
Coming on for the injured Pedri, Olmo reminded everyone of his world-class quality almost instantly. His goal was a moment of pure technical brilliance, and he provided the creative spark that had been missing during the first half.
Marcus Rashford: 7.0
Rashford provided an energetic and direct cameo. He consistently looked to take his man on and was rewarded for his persistence with a sharp assist for Lewandowski’s goal, proving he can be a game-changer off the bench.
Marc Bernal: 6.0
Replacing the goal-hero Fermin, Bernal helped stabilize the midfield during the final stages. He showed great maturity for his age, keeping the ball moving and ensuring there was no late drama from the hosts.
Ronald Araujo: 6.0
Making a significant return to the pitch, Araujo looked physically dominant and composed. His introduction solidified the backline and prevented Slavia from mounting any serious late comeback.