FC Barcelona have secured their progress into the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League with a clinical four-goal victory from Matchday 4 trip to Ukraine where they squared off against Dynamo Kyiv.
The first half was narrowly contested wherein Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona side enjoyed majority possession of the ball as Kyiv were content sitting deep and hitting Barcelona on the counter. Both the teams created very few chances in the first half. However, the second half saw a drastic change.
FC Barcelona commenced the second period of play right on top of their game and hit Kyiv twice within the space of five minutes as Dest and Braithwaite got themselves onto the scoresheet. There was no point of return from here for the hosts and Barcelona’s grip over the tie only got better as the game progressed.
Braithwaite scored his second goal of the evening from the penalty spot after Kyiv gave away a reckless and tame penalty. Second-half substitutes, Griezmann and Alba combined deep into stoppage time and scored the Catalans fourth goal. Here’s how FC Barcelona players are rated from their thumping victory against Dynamo Kyiv –
GK : Ter Stegen – 7/10
The German goalie remained largely untested on the night and was right on top of his game each time he was drawn into the action.
RB : Sergino Dest – 8/10
The 20-year-old right-back had an amazing evening in Ukraine where he was dedicated and alert in defence and even scored the opening goal of the fixture. Dest cut loose for the first goal and unlocked the Kyiv defence with some fine link-up playing with Braithwaite
CB : Garcia – 7/10
The Barcelona reserve team defender got a good run in a UEFA Champions League tie and seemed to make the most of it. A good prospect to replace Pique for years to come at Camp Nou.
CB : Clement Lenlget – 7/10
Lenglet was the most experienced in the backline alongside Ter Stegen and acted just like the leader before being subbed off in the second half. Lenglet will be missing his partner in crime, Gerard Pique, for a very long time now.
LB : Firpo – 7/10
Firpo had a quiet evening at the NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium. Firpo started ahead of Jordi Alba in the starting eleven and seemed to have things in control down the left-hand side except for a few occasional hiccups.
CM : Miralem Pjanic – 7/10
The former Juventus midfielder had a decent evening against Dynamo Kyiv. Pjanic made a reckless foul early on in the first half and picked up a yellow card for his troubles. Koeman decided to replace Pjanic with Puig around the 65-minute mark.
CM : Carles Alena – 8/10
A bossy and dominant performance from Alena in midfield. Koeman handed the 22-year-old Spaniard a golden opportunity to impress and Alena did not seem to let him down.
CM : Pedri – 7/10
The attacking midfielder was a lively presence in midfield for the Cules who were missing several first-team regulars today.
RW : Trincao – 7/10
The Portuguese youngster was energetic down the right-hand side. Trincao displayed some brilliant dribbling abilities on a couple of occasions and was subbed off in the second half.
ST : Martin Braithwaite – 9/10
A stunning performance from Martin Braithwaite whose poacher instincts allowed Barcelona to double their lead and take a firm grip of the game. The striker later netted his second goal from the penalty spot as he fired the ball wide of Kyiv’s goalie, Bushchan. The Man of Match winner also set up the first goal for Sergino Dest with some breathtaking passing that unlocked the Kyiv defence.
LW : Philippe Coutinho – 8/10
The Brazilian was a joy to watch for FC Barcelona on the occasion. Coutinho did not shy away from taking on defenders and kept the game ticking with his sharp manoeuvres in the attacking third.
Substitutes
CM : Riqui Puig – 7/10
Puig was introduced just after the hour mark and carried about his business calmly without much clatter.
ST : Antoine Griezmann – 7/10
The second half substitute drilled the ball in the bottom right corner in the dying moments of the tie to take the goal tally for the evening to four in favour of Barcelona.
LB : Jordi Alba – 7/10
Jordi Alba set up the fourth goal of the night as he neatly tucked back the ball down the left-hand side. Griezmann was waiting for it and pounced on it in a jiffy.
CM : Matheus Fernandes – NA
Did not have much involvement in the game post his introduction.
ST : Konrad de la Fuente NA
Did not have much involvement in the game post his introduction.
