Ter Stegen: The German goalkeeper already has 450 minutes without conceding a goal, matching his best streak under the sticks. He did not have great stops against Athletic. Just a good intervention at a poisoned Unai facility. He was overconfident in some action and even made a blunder in a false start that fortunately the rival did not take advantage of. As always, very fine with the feet, sometimes playing almost a libero.
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Semedo: Serious match for the Portuguese winger, who went from less to more. It is clear that the auction is not his strong point, since he had a clear opportunity and almost sent the ball to the band. You have to be more ambitious in your offensive actions because you have the capacity for it. Quick when it comes to recoveries.
Pique: The game ended with discomfort in the adductor of the right leg, but holding the type to have exhausted the three windows of change. He had problems because of Williams’ speed, but in general lines a remarkable game came together.
Lenglet: Great match for the Frenchman, very attentive when it comes to covering and looking for help to the wings. It has returned at a great level of play.
Alba: The winger was more than compliant, always offering himself and looking to give depth on the left wing. He was much more active and precise in his combinations with Griezmann and Messi. The problem was mainly on the part of the Frenchman who never finished reading the game well.
Sergio Busquets: He saw a yellow very soon that forced him to measure his actions a lot to avoid being sent off. He tried to shed some light on the team game, but Ahletic’s pressure put him in more of a bind. He had a great opportunity to finish almost at point-blank range inside the area, but Yeray miraculously took it out with his head. It fulfills cycle of cards and it will not be before Celta in Vigo.
Arturo vidal: The Chilean is a compendium of fight, courage and claw, not without quality. At this level, he is an essential player for Setién when it comes to balancing the midfield. It was located as a right inside, always giving a plus of intensity in the field.
Arthur: It is not easy to go out and play knowing that your team wants to pack you at the first change, but the truth is that the Brazilian continues to show a very flat level in his game. He hardly ever risks and helps very little in the offensive game. Excessively slow in his actions, he became so desperate to Setien that he decided to replace him in the 55th minute. Every day he is closer to Turin and further from Barcelona.
Messi: He did not score on this occasion, but he was very close to achieving it, especially on two occasions, with separate placed and precise shots, which passed the post. An assist by him led to Rakitic’s goal. He was insistently looking for his partner Luis Suárez to dial, but the Charrúa had his sights turned away. The Argentine was seen with great desire. The best news between now and the end of the season.
Suarez: The Uruguayan tried it in any way, but the five months out of the field of play have left him with a somewhat defective point of view. All his auctions were very deviant, but the important thing is that the Uruguayan never faltered. He was replaced in the final minutes by Braithwaite.
Griezmann: More dynamic than in recent games, but with very little role in attack. You are having a lot of trouble combining with your trident partners. He had a good chance, after a great pass from Leo, but his attempt at petroleum jelly was a real blow, crashing into the Athletic goalkeeper. It was changed by Ansu Fati.
CHANGES:
Riqui Puig: Spectacular. At this level it seems evident that Arthur’s days in Barcelona are numbered. Dynamic, protagonist and eager to do things, his game was superlative. He also helped when it came to retrieving balls and pressing, one of the concepts that coaches insist on the most. It is growing by leaps and bounds.
Rakitic: His goal gave him three points and the leadership to Barcelona. A bit also that he fought from the beginning, since he recovered the ball to assist Messi, who returned the ball and the Croatian ended up scoring with a precise shot that the rival goalkeeper could do nothing. Add two consecutive games to a great level.
Ansu fati: Stratospheric. Everything he does is different. Try one on one cheekily and never lose face to the rival. He sent a ball to the post and gave a great pass to Messi after a spectacular play. This kid has crack wood.
Braithwaite: He played the last minutes to add strength and intensity on the field.
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