Barcelona entertained Elche at the Nou Camp earlier this afternoon as they focused on collecting maximum points at home. The Catalan giants made a decent start to the game and found themselves at a numerical advantage in the 14th minute when Gonzalo Verdu was sent off by the referee. Barca capitalised and scored the opening goal in the 34th minute when Robert Lewandowski scored with a good finish. Memphis Depay made it 2-0 to Barcelona just seven minutes later when he found the back of the net with his weaker foot. The home team went into the half-time interval 2-0 up on the scoreline.
Lewandowski scored again in the 48th minute from close range as Barca cruised to an impressive 3-0 win in front of their home supporters.
Let’s take a look at how each Barcelona player fared during the match against Elche.
GK: Marc-André ter Stegen – 7/10
The German keeper made one good save in the game and earned a well-deserved clean sheet earlier this afternoon.
RB: Jules Kounde – 7/10
The French full-back made a couple of solid tackles and was tidy with his passing.
CB: Ronald Araujo – 7/10
Araujo earned the ball back twice and was a threat at the other end of the field.
CB: Eric Garcia – 7/10
The Spanish centre-back did what was required of him at the back but could last only 58 minutes.
LB: Alex Balde – 8.5/10
Balde performed his defensive duties well and picked up two assists for setting up two of Barca’s three goals today.
CM: Franck Kessie – 6/10
He struggled to get a foothold in the game and was replaced at half-time.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 8.5/10
De Jong offered a lot of protection for his teammates at the back and was a threat in the final third as well.
CM: Pedri – 8/10
He earned the ball back twice and made a lot of decent chances for his teammates in the Elche half.
RW: Ousmane Dembele – 7/10
Dembele set up some decent chances for others around him but got substituted in the 59th minute.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 8.5/10
The Polish striker scored a goal in each half to win this game for Barcelona. He just about deserves the man of the match award.
LW: Memphis Depay – 7.5/10
He was a constant menace in the final third and managed to get his name on the scoresheet just before half-time.
Substitutes:
CM: Gavi – 7/10
Gavi engineered a handful of promising chances in the opponent’s half.
LW: Ansu Fati – 6/10
He added more pace to Xavi’s attack.
RB: Hector Bellerin – 6.5/10
The Spaniard had a few lively moments in the game.
RW: Raphinha – 6.5/10
The Brazilian talent caused a few problems for the Elche defenders.
ST: Ferran Torres – 6/10
He struggled to influence the game.
