Barcelona 0-2 Atletico Madrid: Player...

New year, same script. Barcelona’s game against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League once again saw the Catalans go a man down and struggle by becoming their own worst enemies.

On this occasion, Pau Cubarsi made a professional last-man foul and saw himself sent off late in the first half at a point where it looked like Barcelona were taking the upper hand.

The resulting free-kick conveniently gave Atletico Madrid the lead, and they then doubled that advantage in the second half to take a 2-0 lead ahead of next week’s second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Barcelona 0-2 Atletico Madrid.

Joan Garcia: 7.5

The goalkeeper did not have much to do in the first half, barring the one big save that he made and the free kick Julian Alvarez put past him to perfection.

Was far busier in the second half given Atletico Madrid’s attacking potency and numerical advantage.

Joao Cancelo: 6

Cancelo was a shadow of the version of himself that he showed at the weekend and did not create as much threat in the final third. His distribution was decent, and attacking movements were promising, albeit without any end product.

Gerard Martin: 6.5

The youngster was solid in the first half alongside Cubarsi and did well to hold the offside trap. Took up more responsibility after the red card, but it was clear that his partnership at the back was no longer as solid.

Pau Cubarsi: 3

Cubarsi’s blunder proved costly. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Cubarsi’s red card late in the first half completely changed the course of the game at a relatively early juncture and jeopardised Hansi Flick’s plans.

The youngster was solid up to that point, but his relatively soft last-man foul was enough for a direct red, which left the team with a numerical disadvantage and without his services for the second leg.

Jules Kounde: 5.5

Kounde started at right-back and combined well with Lamine Yamal. Beyond that, however, his attacking contributions were minimal, nor did he have much defensive work in the opening half.

Eric Garcia: 6

Garcia started the game as Flick’s emergency solution to the midfield crisis. Cubarsi’s red card, however, saw him take up a more defensive role, jeopardising the initial idea.

Garcia’s distribution was decent on the night, as were his transitions to attack. The numerical disadvantage, however, saw his influence in midfield gradually wane.

Pedri: 6.5

Pedri was taken off at half-time. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Pedri stabilised the game in midfield for Barcelona for the better part of the game, although his job was made far more difficult after the red card.

With Garcia dropping back and Atletico Madrid pressing with an extra man, he began to struggle keeping the ball. Was surprisingly taken off at halftime.

Dani Olmo: 6.5

Olmo was handed the start over Fermin Lopez on the night and largely combined well with Lamine Yamal in tight spaces. Beyond that, however, his influence in front of the goal was very limited, and he did not create any massive chances.

Lamine Yamal: 8

The one bright spot. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Yamal was Barcelona’s best player by some distance once again, toying with Matteo Ruggeri and getting into Atletico Madrid’s box for fun.

The youngster was at his best, creating chances through his dribbles and even coming close to finishing them on occasion. Unfortunately, he could not keep the same steam throughout after the red card changed plans.

Marcus Rashford: 6.5

Rashford’s impact on the left wing was very minimal on Wednesday night, far from the version he showed against the same team at the weekend.

The player struggled to get past defenders and did not have it easy to run into spaces, largely negating his presence in the box and goalscoring chances.

Robert Lewandowski: 5

The Polish striker played 45 minutes on the night and had just the one shot to his name. He was taken off at half-time after the game situation changed and was replaced by Fermin Lopez.

Fermin Lopez: 6

Brought tenacity to Barcelona’s press but still was not enough to overcome Atletico Madrid’s superiority. He did, however, provide sparks of hope.

Gavi: 6

The youngster came on for 45 minutes in a high-stakes game for Barcelona and did well considering how he has been out of action for a long time. Was sharp with his passing and tenacious with his press.

Source: https://barcauniversal.com/