Player ratings from Barcelona 0-1 Real Betis: Woeful Memphis gets 4.5, 7 for super-sub Dembele
Barcelona befell to their fifth defeat of the La Liga season in quite humiliating fashion despite the close scoreline. There were perhaps some few signs of change in Xavi Hernandez’ squad, yet the team was utterly helpless against Real Betis.
The Blaugrana could hardly create a genuine goalscoring opportunity, and come the final whistle, it was a deserved loss.
In this article, Barça Universal runs the rule over the men in garnet and blue.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen: 5.5
It cannot be said that the German had a poor outing in goal. For most of the match, ter Stegen was solid, and his ball distribution was simply flawless. Granted, it was not his fault that his defence left him exposed, he conceded the one big chance against him in the match to lose a game he didn’t have much to do.
Sergino Dest: 5.75
Dest struggled to make an impact for much of the match. Ez Abde seemed to prefer going in solo in the final third, which left little for the American. Next to no creativity was on show from him until the arrival of Ousmane Dembele late on. The performance overall was average at best.
Ronald Araujo: 7.25
Araujo put up a stunning overall display in defence for the Blaugrana. His only instance of weakness came in the goal the team conceded, however without his marshalling presence in the backline, the team would have been worse off. The Uruguayan’s ability to win duels and consistent range of focus throughout the game gave encouragement ahead of the game against Bayern Munich.
Clement Lenglet: 7.25
While often the target of unnecessary hatred from the supporters, Lenglet did a fantastic job defensively. The Frenchman could not be faulted for much in the game, as his distribution and defensive astuteness kept Betis at bay for much of the game.
Jordi Alba: 7.25
On his 400th game for the Garnet and Blue, Alba showed some of his characteristic threat. The only problem for him was the fact that the rivals cut off all access to his passing target in Memphis Depay.
The Spaniard performed decently in attack and comparatively better in defence. His clinicality in the final third needs to improve, though.
Nico Gonzalez: 6.25
Perhaps not his best game in the central midfield, but it has to be said that Nico was reasonably decent. The pressing game imposed by his opponents made it challenging for him to create a proper impact in the game, nevertheless, he showed intensity when needed, and his fouls stopped Betis from going any further than they should have.
Sergio Busquets: 7.75
Simplicity personified: Sergio Busquets. The Spaniard had a more than decent outing in defence for the Garnet and Blue. His distribution of the ball was immaculate in and out of pressure in yet another game which proved that the captain has taken up complete responsibility.
Gavi: 6
The sample size was not the biggest, given he did sustain an injury. That said, Gavi was decent and became better as time wore on.
Ez Abde: 6.25
Abde Was decent at best in the match. The Moroccan attempted several 1v1s but perhaps could be faulted for going on too long and not sufficiently linking up with Sergino Dest. His work rate deserved to be hauled, however. If he starts against Bayern Munich, he needs to be more clinical both in decision making and in his chances.
Memphis Depay: 4.5
Below average, but perhaps not all on his own doing. Memphis was indubitably woeful against Betis on the night.
Not a single shot, on or off target was taken by him. Xavi Hernandez seemingly wanted to use him as a target man, but nobody could thread a pass to him, isolating him in the attack. His own decision making once in the wing late on was sub-par.
Philippe Coutinho: 6.25
The Brazilian attempted to make an impact and was visibly trying to change the game. Coutinho had an early nutmeg in the game and created danger in the opening quarter of an hour, but bar that he was little influential in the game, with his substitution livening things up late on.
SUBSTITUTES
Riqui Puig: 6.5
Riqui had a pretty average outing, having come on for Gavi in the match. He attempted to create chances for his teammates, though his main task in the game was seemingly to distribute the ball, which he cannot be faulted for on the night. The Spaniard played constant switches on either side but could not particularly change the game.
Frenkie De Jong: 6
De Jong was Nico’s straight replacement, but it cannot be said that he was the most influential of substitutes. The Dutchman attempted to combine with Memphis, but much like the rest of his teammates, he could not sufficiently change the game to his favour.
Ousmane Dembele: 7
Dembele was surprisingly good on the night. The Frenchman drastically improved the game once coming on and was a constant threat both in the left and right wings of the pitch. He could not change the scoreline, but he perhaps made a good enough claim for himself to be used against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Gerard Pique: N/A
Neither player had enough time on the pitch to make an impact in the game.
Luuk de Jong: N/A
Came on late, did not do enough to warrant a rating.
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