Barcelona have sloppily dropped points at home to Valencia on Matchday 14 of La Liga Santander. The Catalans were held to a 2-2 draw where Lionel Messi and Araujo scored for Koeman’s side.
Valencia had a slow start to the game but they grew in confidence as the clock ticked. Barcelona nearly went into the half trailing by a goal but VAR drama followed just before the half time whistle and as many as eight extra minutes were added.
Barcelona seemed to be short of ideas on the night and were well marked by Valencia who were defending in numbers. The first goal Barcelona conceded was a complete lapse in concentration as they allowed Valencia’s Diakhaby an open header at goal from the six-yard mark. The second goal Barcelona conceded exposed the cracks in Barcelona’s defence.
Lots of things for Ronald Koeman to reflect on as his team have now dropped another two points in the title race with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Here’s how Barcelona players are rated in their 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou stadium –
GK : Marc Andre Ter Stegen – 8/10
The German goalie had a busy night and made a handful of saves which ultimately saved the day for Barcelona. An impressive display from Ter Stegen.
RB : Sergino Dest – 7/10
Dest had a satisfactory evening and kept things down the right-hand side.
CB : Araujo – 7/10
A neat and tidy display at the back in defence. On the other end, Araujo scored from an acrobatic effort to give Barcelona a 2-1 lead in the fixture.
CB : Mingueza – 7/10
The centre back was calm and composed. Koeman would be pleased with the defensive display from Mingueza.
LB : Jordi Alba – 8/10
The fullback delivered the assist that led to Lionel Messi’s headed goal at the brink of half time. Alba was a bit too busy up the pitch and seemed to forget his defensive duties at times.
CM : Pedri – 8/10
Pedri was one of the best players on the field of play of Barcelona. The teenager was absolutely bossing the midfield and even seemed to get his challenges right. One of the bright sparks for Barcelona in a dull-looking season.
CM : Sergio Busquets – 7/10
Busquets was a bit slow to the pace of the game and was imminently subbed off to be replaced by Frenkie de Jong.
CM : Philippe Coutinho – 7/10
Things do not seem to be going in the right direction for Coutinho. The Brazilian had a torrid evening and barely had any impact on the game.
RW : Antoine Griezmann – 7/10
Griezmann had a below-average night at the Camp Nou. The Frenchman failed to make the most of the chances that came his way.
ST : Lionel Messi – 8/10
Messi seemed to be hunting like a lone wolf with the rest of the team just not delivering the goods. The Argentine himself made a hush of things by having a penalty saved. However, he made amends for his rare mistake with an immediate headed goal.
LW : Martin Braithwaite – 7/10
The striker toiled hard but did not seem too comfortable at all playing on the left-hand side just ahead of Coutinho.
Substitutes
CM : Frenkie de Jong – 7/10
Frenkie’s introduction in the second half did seem to ignite a spark which seemed missing. However, Barcelona were no better after his substitution.
RW – Trincao – 6/10
Did not have much impact on the game post his introduction
CB : Clement Lenglet – NA
A rather weird and strange substitution by Koeman.
CM : Miralem Pjanic – NA
Did not have much impact on the game post his introduction
