Barcelona confronted Nineteenth-placed Almería on Sunday, hoping to return to regular after their midweek UEFA Europa League defeat. Given the huge hole between the 2 groups when it comes to factors and personnel, it was anticipated to be a routine win for Xavi’s males.

Nonetheless, that was removed from the case for the league leaders. They fell to an early deficit as they fell behind earlier than half-hour and performed to catch up for the rest of the match.

The group’s struggles in opposition to low blocks resurfaced at Energy Horse Stadium. That, added to Barcelona’s current accidents in Europe, made the 90 minutes a laborious vigil.

Barca might have dominated possession of the ball on the night time, however they’d nothing to point out for it, when it comes to possibilities and objectives, as they fell to a shock 1-0 defeat. For sure, the drop in kind is an enormous concern heading into midweek. the traditional.

Barça Common brings you the evaluations of the gamers from the defeat of the blaugrana final Sunday.

Marc André ter Stegen: 6

The German could not preserve a clear sheet on the night time, but it surely wasn’t his fault for the conceded objective. He made a significant save moments later to disclaim Almería a second objective with an effort from Baptistao. There wasn’t a lot happening within the second half besides an important save within the 93rd minute to salvage the blushes.

Sergi Roberto: 5

The defender was abysmal in opposition to the Nineteenth ranked in LaLiga, with out contributing to the assault even after the primary half. Defensively, he was all over and was handily outplayed each time the hosts broke by means of on the counter-attack. He changed Ángel Alcarón after an uninspiring recreation.

Andreas Christensen: 7

The Dane was given the accountability of main the protection on the night time with Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo rested. He tried to trace down and chase down El Bilal Toure for Almería’s opener, however fell brief. He was higher within the second half.

Eric Garcia: 5

It was not even within the framework of the Almería premiere and had a number of episodes of poor positioning within the recreation. Moreover, Garcia had foolishly reserved himself for an pointless problem within the thirty fifth minute.

He the farmhouse The graduate’s confidence didn’t enhance as the sport progressed and it was clear that the central protection was compromised. He was taken off by Xavi in ​​the sixty fifth minute and changed by Araujo.

Jordi Alba: 7.5

The Spanish left-back was Barcelona’s greatest participant within the first half by far. He created some nice openings together with his crosses from the left aspect and continuously introduced a menace within the last third together with his runs behind the defence.

He began the second half with numerous intention however could not make a lot occur. He got here out within the 67th minute with six defensive actions and a key move in his identify.

Franck Kessie: 4

The Ivory Coast worldwide barely featured within the recreation in opposition to Almería, fully absent for a lot of the opening interval. With near-zero contributions in assault and defence, he made a robust case for being the group’s worst participant on the night time within the center stage and was substituted at halftime.

Sergio Busquets: 6.5

The captain lacked his regular Energy Horse Stadium sharpness and appeared too informal together with his format. In 45 minutes, the defensive midfielder accomplished simply 78% of his passes and made little effort to interrupt by means of Almería’s defence. He was higher within the second half however left early for Pablo Torre.

Frenkie de Jong: 7.5

The ball appeared to take a seat in the course of the park for eternity when it was in Barcelona’s possession, and the Dutchman was maybe probably the most very important a part of that circulation.

De Jong labored tirelessly within the first half and continuously tried to seek out Alba or Ferran Torres together with his passes. His show at night time was not extravagant, however two rungs larger than the opposite ten gamers in blaugrana colours.

Ferran Torres: 7.5

The in-form winger took some time to return to his menacing kind and was minimally concerned within the early components of the sport. He sprang into motion after the half-hour mark and commenced to emulate Alba’s affect on the wing.

He moved to the left flank and offered Raphinha with a golden cross within the 71st minute, however the Brazilian failed to attain.

Robert Lewandowski: 5

The Polish ahead coach just one shot deflected in all the preliminary interval, along with 5 passes. He seemed for vertical passes when he had the ball, however appeared at a loss for his common involvement of any type in preparation.

Fully invisible till minute 85 and appeared with good possibilities within the final minutes.

Gavi: 6

Getting back from his suspension within the final recreation, Gavi didn’t have his greatest efficiency within the first half. The Catalan star recorded simply 11 passes in 5 minutes and didn’t make his regular forays behind the defensive position.

He completed the sport with two photographs, two passes to the final third and eleven defensive actions. One other yellow card signifies that he’ll now miss the sport in opposition to Valencia.

SUBSTITUTES

Raffine: 7.5

He changed Kessie at half time and virtually immediately acquired a yellow card for a foolish early free kick. Nonetheless, the Brazilian had a tangible affect on the group’s attacking menace by injecting power and dynamism into the wing.

He got here painfully near scoring within the 71st minute, however was unable to bury Torres’s cross.

Ronald Araujo: 8.5

He got here on and confirmed his nerves virtually immediately by giving the ball away in a harmful place. After his preliminary slip up, the Uruguayan was strong in protection and resourceful within the last third. He created critical threats going through the objective within the final minutes.

Marcos Alonso: 6.5

Strong defensively after approaching for Alba, and offered an affordable menace within the last third together with his crosses.

Paul Tower: 4

He did not do a lot after coming into.

Angel Alcaron: 6

He introduced some freshness in assault and volleyed the group’s first actual shot on objective.