Headline: Barcelona Secures 2-0 Win Against Athletic Club
Barcelona showcased a dominant performance in their match against Athletic Club last night, though the scoreline did not fully reflect their control over the game. The Catalans effectively limited the visitors’ chances, yet struggled with their efficiency in front of goal, which proved crucial.
Raphinha set the tone early by scoring the first goal in the first half with a precise finish, giving Barcelona a lead at the break. However, the team found it challenging to net a second goal for an extended period. It wasn’t until the 81st minute that Fermin Lopez sealed the victory with a goal, bringing the score to 2-0.
The player ratings from the match highlight the individual performances. The Barcelona goalkeeper had a quiet first half, registering no saves and only 13 passes, but remained composed whenever the ball came his way. He faced a few shots after the break but was not put under significant pressure.
Eric Garcia continued his role at right-back, effectively managing Athletic Club’s Nico Williams and impressing with his passing ability and defensive fortitude.
Pau Cubarsi made his season debut and displayed strong defensive and distribution skills throughout the game. Gerard Martin also contributed positively alongside Cubarsi, maintaining dependable possession and avoiding costly errors.
Xavi Espart retained his position at left-back and delivered a solid performance, although he was not as impactful compared to the previous match. In midfield, Marc Bernal took on more responsibility, adding creativity and mobility to the team’s play after a quieter game against Elche.
Pedri was another standout player for Barcelona, providing the assist for Raphinha’s opener and influencing the game’s pace effectively.
Fermin Lopez, although less involved than in his last outing, remained solid in a wider role, while Lamine Yamal struggled again to find his form, despite getting into good attacking positions.
Raphinha emerged as the key player, scoring the opener with skillful footwork and contributing significantly to the team’s attacking efforts. Meanwhile, Rodri made an impact during his debut, showing promising defensive contributions and playing a part in the second goal shortly after coming on.
Barcelona’s game against Athletic Club last night may well have been as dominant as the team’s win over Elche, but the scoreline did not reflect the same.
The Catalans were the dominating side by some distance once again and barely gave the visitors any chances at all. However, their efficiency in front of goal was not as clean as the previous time around, and that made all the difference.
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Raphinha opened the scoring in the first half with a cold finish, handing the team the lead at half-time and putting in a captain’s shift once more. The team, however, struggled to find the second goal for long time.
Eventually, Fermin Lopez delivered by poaching a goal in the 81st minute to make it 2-0 and put the result beyond doubt.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Club.
The Barcelona goalkeeper had barely any role to play in the opening period as he made no saves in the first 45 minutes and had just 13 passes in that duration. When he was on the ball, however, it was always in safe hands.
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Had some more saves to make after the break but was never really in trouble.
Eric Garcia retained the starting spot at right-back on the night and was tasked with controlling the Basque side’s Nico Williams.
The Spanish international did a great job at that and also stood out with his passing range and accuracy against Athletic Club with massive involvement in the buildup and a good distribution range.
Defensively, he was rock-solid and was barely-ever dribbled past on the night.
Pau Cubarsi: 8.5
The FIFA World Cup Golden Boy started his first official game of the season last night and picked up exactly where he left off.
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Cubarsi showed no signs of having not played in a month and was on song with both his defensive contributions and his distribution.
Gerard Martin’s night as Cubarsi’s partner was also reasonably stable. Barring one poor shot in the first half, which is not his area of expertise, Martin did not make any major errors on the night and looked comfortable in possession.
His distribution, moreover, was very reliable as he maintained a pass completion rate of over 90% despite the opposition’s pressure.
Xavi Espart: 7.5
Having excelled at left-back in the first game, Hansi Flick kept Espart as the team’s left-back once more last night ahead of both Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde.
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The La Masia graduate was defensively decent and once again did well with his distribution. His output, however, was not quite on the same level as he showed against Elche.
With Rodri understandably kept on the bench for his debut, Marc Bernal continued to dictate terms in Barcelona’s midfield as the deep-lying pivot and showed signs of promise against Athletic Club.
After a relatively silent outing against Elche, Bernal took more responsibility and stepped up with line-breaking passes and vertical movements last night, even coming close to providing Lamine Yamal with an assist.
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His distribution range and defensive work rate were promising and showed signs of improvement.
Pedri was a standout performer. (Photo credit: X/ FC Barcelona)
The Canary Islander made his first official start of the 2026-27 campaign against the Basque side and was everywhere on the field, dictating the tempo of the game.
Pedri provided the assist for Raphinha’s opener, cutting the defence with his vertical ball and setting the Brazilian free on goal. Beyond that as well, he seemed more influential as a creative presence rather than a controlling force.
Fermin Lopez: 8.5
Fermin was more silent than in the previous game as he restricted himself to a wider role instead of dropping behind the forwards. With Lamine Yamal having an off-game, Fermin’s output was also impacted.
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The player was involved in the buildup phase, but his decision to move off the centre and allow Pedri to float in attacking spaces was perhaps tactical. He was solid, yet silent compared to the previous game.
Lamine Yamal: 8.5
The prodigal talent was simply not up to speed for Barcelona for the second straight game and was seen grim-faced and dull on the wing.
He got into great attacking positions time and time again through the night, but was seemingly chasing glory and the finishing never came off.
The winger had a couple of clear-cut opportunities to score and was unlucky to be denied by some great saves. Came back better in the second half and looked much more like his usual self.
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Raphinha: 9.5
The difference maker once again. (Photo credit: X/ FC Barcelona)
The Brazilian star was once again Barcelona’s focal point in attack and the team’s biggest attacking threat by some distance.
He scored the team’s opener with some neat footwork, taking the ball around the goalkeeper and burying the ball into the back of the net. Beyond that, he hit the woodwork once and was instrumental with his press and buildup.
The Englishman was rewarded with a start after his great cameo against Elche and made a nuisance of himself with his pace and flair.
He did have his chances to score, but was more visible as a link-up threat and as a player who ran into spaces on the counter. His decision-making was brilliant on most occasions, barring a couple of times when he hesitated to pull the trigger.
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Came on to replace Raphinha past the hour mark and slotted into Barcelona’s attack convincingly. Linked up well with Pedri and Rodri and acted as a focal piece in the attack.
Rodri: 8
Debut night for Rodri. (Photo credit: X/ FC Barcelona)
Making his Barcelona debut, Rodri replaced Bernal and sat in a deep midfield role as the single-pivot and connecting block between defence and attack.
While his distribution was neat, his importance could be seen in his defensive work rate and how much more stable his presence made the team at the back.
Came on as a late substitute for Gordon and created the opening for the team’s second goal with one of his first touches on the field.
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