Barcelona player ratings vs Athletic Club: Raphinha & Co. run riot as five-star Blaugrana cruise into Supercopa final
Barcelona dominated against Athletic Club on Wednesday as the La Liga leaders eased to a 5-0 win over the Basque side to book their spot in the Supercopa de Espana final. Barca boss Hansi Flick opted to start teenage star Lamine Yamal on the bench in Jeddah, but it didn't hinder the Blaugrana, who were ruthless in their semi-final showdown.It took until the 15th minute for Barcelona to fire off their first shot on target as Pedri rifled a low drive straight at Unai Simon. And the Blaugrana had a great opportunity to go ahead five minutes later, only for Fermin Lopez to fire in a tame effort that was easily dealt with by Spain's No.1.Barca were ahead with 22 minutes on the clock, however, as Ferran Torres bundled past Simon after a Fermin hit was deflected into the feet of the striker. Fermin then made no mistake to double Barcelona's advantage, and Roony Bardghji added a third with 10 minutes of the first half to play. Raphinha then got in on the act as the Brazilian rifled past Simon to ensure his side went in at the break four goals to the good.Raphinha added his second and Barcelona's fifth shortly after the restart as the Catalans booked their place in Sunday's final with ease.GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium...Joan Garcia (7/10):Denied Athletic early on with a routine stop. Rescued by the woodwork on the stroke of half time having been beaten by Oihan Sancet. Easily dealt with an Mikel Jauregizar hit from range as Athletic sought a consolation.Jules Kounde (7/10):Linked up well with Roony Bardghji down the right flank.Pau Cubarsi (7/10):Was outmuscled by Inaki Williams early on, with the Athletic forward incorrectly called offside. Settled well afterwards, however.Eric Garcia (6/10):Almost gifted Athletic Club a chance following a weak pass back to Joan Garcia in the second half.Alejandro Balde (7/10):Hardly put a foot wrong before he came off in the 65th minute. Pedri (7/10):Tested Unai Simon in the 15th minute with an effort straight at his compatriot. Dictated the tempo with ease before coming off.Frenkie de Jong (6/10):Kept play ticking over well for Hansi Flick's side in the middle of the park up to his second half withdrawal.Roony Bardghji (9/10):Deputised for Lamine Yamal on the right. Picked out Pedri well in the 15th minute for Barcelona's first shot on target. Scored Barcelona's third in a rampant first half. Withdrawn with two assists to go with his goal.Fermin Lopez (9/10):Should have opened the scoring in the 20th minute, but his effort was easily dealt with by Unai Simon. Made no mistake on the half hour mark to double Barcelona's advantage.Raphinha (9/10):Bagged Barcelona's sumptuous fourth as Barcelona tore Athletic to shreds in the opening 45. Added his second and Barca's fifth early in the second half in a superb showing.Ferran Torres (7/10):Found the breakthrough midway through the first half as he bundled an effort past Simon.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingGerard Martin (5/10):Replaced Alejandro Balde midway through the second half. Played Unai Gomez on with 15 minutes to play, though the Athletic forward somehow failed to hit the target.Marc Bernal (6/10):Came on for Frenkie de Jong in the 64th minute. Did little of note during his cameoMarcus Rashford (6/10):Had a shot deflected behind for a corner shortly after replacing Raphinha.Lamine Yamal (7/10):Introduced to a huge reception with 20 minutes to go. Tried his best to dazzle supporters.Dani Olmo (6/10):A routine outing from the Spaniard.Hansi Flick (9/10):Left Lamine Yamal on the bench, but it made no difference as Barcelona eased to the Supercopa de Espana final.
Barcelona dominated against Athletic Club on Wednesday as the La Liga leaders eased to a 5-0 win over the Basque side to book their spot in the Supercopa de Espana final. Barca boss Hansi Flick opted to start teenage star Lamine Yamal on the bench in Jeddah, but it didn't hinder the Blaugrana, who were ruthless in their semi-final showdown.It took until the 15th minute for Barcelona to fire off their first shot on target as Pedri rifled a low drive straight at Unai Simon. And the Blaugrana had a great opportunity to go ahead five minutes later, only for Fermin Lopez to fire in a tame effort that was easily dealt with by Spain's No.1.Barca were ahead with 22 minutes on the clock, however, as Ferran Torres bundled past Simon after a Fermin hit was deflected into the feet of the striker. Fermin then made no mistake to double Barcelona's advantage, and Roony Bardghji added a third with 10 minutes of the first half to play. Raphinha then got in on the act as the Brazilian rifled past Simon to ensure his side went in at the break four goals to the good.Raphinha added his second and Barcelona's fifth shortly after the restart as the Catalans booked their place in Sunday's final with ease.GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium...Joan Garcia (7/10):Denied Athletic early on with a routine stop. Rescued by the woodwork on the stroke of half time having been beaten by Oihan Sancet. Easily dealt with an Mikel Jauregizar hit from range as Athletic sought a consolation.Jules Kounde (7/10):Linked up well with Roony Bardghji down the right flank.Pau Cubarsi (7/10):Was outmuscled by Inaki Williams early on, with the Athletic forward incorrectly called offside. Settled well afterwards, however.Eric Garcia (6/10):Almost gifted Athletic Club a chance following a weak pass back to Joan Garcia in the second half.Alejandro Balde (7/10):Hardly put a foot wrong before he came off in the 65th minute. Pedri (7/10):Tested Unai Simon in the 15th minute with an effort straight at his compatriot. Dictated the tempo with ease before coming off.Frenkie de Jong (6/10):Kept play ticking over well for Hansi Flick's side in the middle of the park up to his second half withdrawal.Roony Bardghji (9/10):Deputised for Lamine Yamal on the right. Picked out Pedri well in the 15th minute for Barcelona's first shot on target. Scored Barcelona's third in a rampant first half. Withdrawn with two assists to go with his goal.Fermin Lopez (9/10):Should have opened the scoring in the 20th minute, but his effort was easily dealt with by Unai Simon. Made no mistake on the half hour mark to double Barcelona's advantage.Raphinha (9/10):Bagged Barcelona's sumptuous fourth as Barcelona tore Athletic to shreds in the opening 45. Added his second and Barca's fifth early in the second half in a superb showing.Ferran Torres (7/10):Found the breakthrough midway through the first half as he bundled an effort past Simon.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingGerard Martin (5/10):Replaced Alejandro Balde midway through the second half. Played Unai Gomez on with 15 minutes to play, though the Athletic forward somehow failed to hit the target.Marc Bernal (6/10):Came on for Frenkie de Jong in the 64th minute. Did little of note during his cameoMarcus Rashford (6/10):Had a shot deflected behind for a corner shortly after replacing Raphinha.Lamine Yamal (7/10):Introduced to a huge reception with 20 minutes to go. Tried his best to dazzle supporters.Dani Olmo (6/10):A routine outing from the Spaniard.Hansi Flick (9/10):Left Lamine Yamal on the bench, but it made no difference as Barcelona eased to the Supercopa de Espana final.
