Casado 5, Kounde 6 | Celta Vigo 2-2 Barcelona: Player ratings

Barcelona locked horns with Celta Vigo at Municipal de Balaidos on match day 14 of La Liga last night in a game that lived up to its hype.

Clashes between the Galicians and the Blaugrana have been action-packed in recent years and the game on Saturday night was no different.

Hansi Flick deployed his strongest available XI against Celta barring Lamine Yamal who was injured and Alejandro Balde who had some discomfort.

Celta Vigo played the better football for the majority of the game, but a lovely finish from Raphinha gave Barcelona the lead in the opening period. Robert Lewandowski soon doubled the lead at the hour mark and improved the team’s cushion.

Celta pulled two goals back after Casado’s sending-off and sent all their effort in vain.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Celta Vigo 2-2 Barcelona.

Inaki Pena: 7.5

The goalkeeper looked reassured playing at the high-pressure venue and stood confidently on his line even when challenged by Celta Vigo’s counterattacks. Did well to stop an Ilaix Moriba volley in the first half and times his runs out of the box well.

Came up with top stops after the restart repeatedly to ensure that Barcelona stayed in the game. Could not do much to deny Celta’s late goals.

Jules Kounde: 6

The Frenchman was strong, although slightly offensively subdued without Lamine Yamal on his flank. Pushed forward in attack but managed to track back defensively more often than not to keep up with Jonathan Bamba.

Produced a sensational assist for Raphinha’s opener, playing a long ball over the defence to unlock Celta Vigo.

Made an unacceptable mistake in allowing Celta back into the game and was horrendous in the second half.

Pau Cubarsi: 7

The teenage sensation was out of his mask after two weeks of rest following the nasty cut to his face. Was solid with his distribution and timing of challenges and did very well to keep up with the pace of Celta’s counters.

Inigo Martinez: 7

The veteran was once again strong with his challenges and reading of the game. Cut out a frustrated figure at times when his teammates did not make the right movements for him to pull the trigger for long balls.

Gerard Martin: 5

The youngster was booked early on in the game and regularly struggled to keep the offside trap running. Did not venture forward regularly but was very careless with his challenges even after the booking.

Was very lucky to not be sent off in the first half after lunging into a poor challenge on Iago Aspas and was taken off immediately after.

Marc Casado: 5

Now seemingly a veteran presence in midfield, Casado was seen dictating play and even giving out instructions to his teammates during last night’s clash. Was reassured in possession and broke Celta’s counters early when he could while also pitching in with attacking contributions.

Earned two unnecessary yellow cards and saw himself sent off, undoing all the positives of his performance.

Gavi: 8

The La Masia star made his first start for Barcelona after his comeback from injury, hitting yet another milestone personally. Gavi looked on point against the Galicians and was regularly fluctuating between a defensive role and a free role in the box, switching places with Pedri.

He was understandably cautious and did not lunge into unnecessary physical challenges and the change was for the better as the club cannot afford a relapse.

Pedri: 8

Pedri was back at his wondrous best playing as the attacking midfielder, although he did regularly switch up places with Gavi to add dynamism to the tactics. Was smooth on the ball, gliding past defenders and with accurate pin-point passing.

Dani Olmo: 7

Olmo was highly effective on the night as part of the team’s press out of possession and did well playing out of position as a winger. However, he was a slight liability on the ball as he often lost possession cheaply and looked out of sync with the team.

Came close to scoring with a strike from outside the box but was denied by a great save.

Raphinha: 8.5

The Brazilian opened the scoring for Barcelona on the night, receiving Kounde’s ball from over the top and taking out Mingueza from his path with a brilliant cutback before slotting it into the goal.

Played on the right flank in Yamal’s absence and drifted centrally to aid in the playmaking. Once again was one of the team’s most lethal forces in attack.

Robert Lewandowski: 8

The Polish striker was relatively silent in the first half barring the one offside chance that he wonderfully converted.

Scored a goal out of nowhere at the hour mark after a series of ricochets landed the ball at his feet in the box.

Hector Fort: 7

Came on in the second half to replace Gerard Martin and did a good job. Was more reassured defensively, had better pace on the flank and held the offside trap reasonably well.