Barcelona faced off against Antwerp at the Bosuilstadion earlier tonight as they focused on securing all three points on their travels in the UEFA Champions League. The Catalan club made a poor start to the contest and conceded the opening goal when Arthur Vermeeren scored for the home team. However, Ferran Torres equalised for Barca in the 35th minute as the two teams went into the half-time break with a 1-1 scoreline.
Vincent Janssen restored his team’s lead in the 56th minute. Xavi’s men managed to score an equaliser in injury-time courtesy of Marc Guiu’s goal but Antwerp responded and scored a dramatic winner in the dying embers of the contest via George Ilenikhena’s effort. The match ended with Barcelona suffering a lackluster 3-2 loss away from home.
Let’s take a look at how each Barcelona player performed during the match against Antwerp.
GK: Inaki Pena – 6/10
Pena made two good saves at the back but conceded three goals tonight.
RB: Hector Fort – 6/10
He made two important clearances inside his half and was tidy with his passing. Fort was replaced in the 59th minute.
CB: Jules Kounde – 6/10
The French defender failed to keep things solid on the defensive end of the field but was a strong presence in the air.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 7/10
He did his fair share of defending at the back and was a good presence on the ball.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 6.5/10
Balde came back to defend when needed and made some decent runs with the ball.
CM: Fermin Lopez – 6.5/10
Lopez caught the eye at times in both halves.
CM: Oriol Romeu – 4.5/10
He made some poor defensive errors at the back and failed to make a difference in the opponent’s half.
CM: Sergi Roberto – 6/10
The Spaniard anchored the midfield well but offered very little in the final third.
RW: Lamine Yamal – 7.5/10
Yamal worked hard at both ends of the field and has got an assist to show for his efforts.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 6/10
He was quiet for most of his time on the pitch and got substituted in the 71st minute.
LW: Ferran Torres – 7/10
Torres caused a few headaches for his marker and managed to score in the 35th minute.
Substitutes:
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 6.5/10
He failed to help Barca claim something from this game and picked up an assist after coming off the bench.
RB: Joao Cancelo – 6.5/10
Cancelo made one good chance in the final third.
CM: Pedri – 6.5/10
He added some energy to Xavi’s midfield.
ST: Marc Guiu – 7/10
The 17-year-old came on and scored a late goal.
CM: Marc Casado – 6/10
His impact on the game was minimal.
