Barcelona 4-4 Atletico Madrid Player Ratings: Eight goals shared equally in a dramatic tie between the heavy weights

In the first leg of the Copa Del Rey, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid shared the spoils with a 4-4 score line after a dramatic game at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday. Pedri, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski were on the scoresheet for the Blaugrana while Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente and Alexander Sorloth scored for the Rojiblancos

The game started with bang for the Atletico Madrid fans as Julian Alvarez scored the opener within just 60 seconds of the game. After an attempt from the corner, Clement Lenglet faints a touch and it falls for the Argentinian at the far post, who steers it past Szczesny. Just five minutes later Griezmann made it 2-0 for the Rojiblancos after a beautiful cross from Alvarez as the frenchman held off Kounde to reach it before drilling a low shot on goal.

After conceding twice in a span of six minutes, Barcelona tried to settle in and around the 12th minute Ferran Torres missed a golden opportunity as the hosts managed to break through Atleti’s compact block. Pedri scored the first goal for the Blaugrana in the 19 minute after a good cut back from Jules Kounde found the Spanish midfielder, who made no mistake in netting it past Muso.Two minutes late, Pau Cubarsi netted the equaliser after Raphinha whipped in a cross from a corner.

Barcelona has a tendency to score goals in the first half; in four Copa del Rey games this season, the home team has scored 10 goals in the opening 45 minutes. By the end of the 41st minute, they found themselves leading 3-2 after Inigo Martinez headed the ball into the net as an action replay of Cubarsi’s goal.

In the second half, Barcelona started controlling the possession and Atletico were pretty much happy to sit in their half. Around the 57th minute there were loud boos and whistles from the Montjuic fans as substitute Line brought down Yamal inside the box. The referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez remains adamant that there was no foul, and the home fans are certainly making their feelings known about that decision.

Simeone in the second half has shifted to a complete low block with a robust backline and a more physical midfield with Llorente stepping forward to the right of the midfield with Molina slotting in the defence. Around the 74th minute, substitute Robert Lewandowski made the score 4-2 after a brilliant assist from Yamal. The Spaniard skips by Reinildo with ease after dancing his way around the box and displaying some amazing movement. Once again demonstrating his quickness of movement, he passes the ball across goal, past Gimenez’s last-ditch dive and between Lenglet’s legs, for Lewandowski to tap over the line.

Around the 84th minute, Marco Llorente made the score 4-3 after his powerful shot into the bottom right corner was impossible for Szczesny to save. In the injury time, Alexander Sorloth equalised the scored before heading into the Wande Metropolitano for the second leg of the Copa Del Rey tie. Lino surged forward and squared the ball across the face of goal for Sorloth to touch over the line, giving him plenty of room to run into.

Lets have a look at Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid player ratings.

Barcelona Player Ratings

GK- Wojciech Szczesny- 4.9/10

The Polish goalkeeper did not have a great game between the sticks conceding four goals. He saved three shots throughout the game and was good with his distribution.

RB- Jules Kounde- 6.5/10

The French right back had a good game contributing both in defence as well as attack. Kounde smartly played a simple rolled pass back across for Pedri to attack from just in front of the penalty spot to register an assist.

CB- Pau Cubarsi- 7.5/10

The centre-back did not have a great start to the game but he slowly grew into it. He headed home the equaliser after a cross from Raphinha. He was also involved in seven defensive actions and made six recoveries for Barcelona.

CB- Inigo Martinez- 7.3/10

The Spanish centre-back capped a strong display at the back four. He scored the third goal against Atletico Madrid and was involved in five defensive actions.

LB- Alex Balde- 6.0/10

The left-back had an average game managing to help in defence as well as attack. He maintained a passing accuracy of 96 percent and was involved in five defensive actions.

CM- Frenkie de Jong- 7.2/10

The Dutch midfielder orchestrated the game well with a passing accuracy of 95 percent. He created couple of chances in the attack and made eight recoveries for his team.

CM- Pedri- 8.5/10

The midfielder had the most number of tackles in the game. He received a cut-back pass from Kounde and ran on to it to slot home the first goal for Barcelona.

AM- Dani Olmo- 6.1/10

He did not have much of an impact in the attacking third for the team. He had only couple of shots on goal and made four passes into the final third.

LW- Lamine Yamal- 7.8/10

The Spanish winger had a great game completing the most number of dribbles in the game. He assisted Lewandowski’s goal around the 74th minute. Dropping his shoulder and running past Reinildo, he then jumped over the next slide tackle before cutting the ball back onto his left foot with a truly amazing display of talent.

RW- Raphinha- 8.9/10

The Brazilian winger was great on the left wing as he provided good crosses throughout the game. He assisted the goals of Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi. He had three shots and created the most number of chances in attack.

ST- Ferran Torres- 7.0/10

The Spanish striker had a good game maintaining the pressure on Atletico Madrid’s defence. He had two shots on goal and created a chance for his team.

SUB- Gavi- 6.4/10

He replaced Dani Olmo as an attacking midfielder around the 68th minute.

SUB- Robert Lewandowski- 7.0/10

The Polish forward came on to replace Ferran Torres and scored the fourth goal for Barcelona.

SUB- Eric Garcia- N/A.

SUB- Fermin Lopez- N/A.

MANAGER- Hansi Flick- 7/10

The German manager would not be satisfied with the way his team performed as they converted a victory into a draw after conceding late goals.

Also Read: Chelsea 4-0 Southampton Player Ratings: Chelsea demolish Southampton to get back to winning ways

Atletico Madrid Player Ratings

GK- Juan Musso- 5.8/10

The goalkeeper conceded four goals making four saves during the 90 minutes of the game.

RWB- Giuliano Simeone- 7.0/10

The Argentine player adapted well to his new position of right wing back as he helped the team both in defence as well as attack. He was involved in four defensive actions and had a shot on goal.

CB- Marcos Llorente- 6.8/10

The Spanish player transitioned well as per the requirement of the team. He started as a defender and went on as a midfielder in the second half. He was involved in 10 defensive actions and made eight clearances against Barcelona. He scored the third goal for the Rojiblancos.

CB- Jose Gimenez- 6.7/10

The Uruguayan defender had a good game maintaining a passing accuracy of 85 percent. He was involved in 17 defensive actions and made 10 clearances in the game.

CB- Clement Lenglet- 6.6/10

The French defender was ordinary in the central defence but he assisted the first goal for Atletico Madrid.

LWB- Javi Galan- 6.0/10

The Spanish left back had a good game helping the team maintain its structure at the back. He was involved in eight defensive actions and made four recoveries for Atletico Madrid.

LM- Conor Gallagher- 6.8/10

The English midfielder had a decent game maintaining a passing accuracy of 81 percent. He won six duels in the game and made three recoveries for Atletico Madrid.

CM- Pablo Barrios- 7.3/10

The midfielder had a good game maintaining the defensive shape of the whole team. He was involved in 11 defensive actions and made six recoveries for his side.

CM- Rodrigo De Paul- 7.1/10

The Argentine midfielder had a decent game maintaining a passing accuracy of 88 percent. He created three chances and won couple of duels for Atletico Madrid.

ST- Antoine Griezmann- 7.7/10

The French attacker had great game on the upfront taking two shots on goa. He scored the second goal for his side and maintained a passing accuracy of around 81 percent.

ST- Julian Alvarez- 8.6/10

The Argentine World cup winner had a great game helping the Rojiblancos tie the game. He scored the opener against Barcelona and assisted Griezmann’s goal with a brilliant cross-field pass.

SUB- Reinildo- 6.0/10

He came on to replace JavI Galan around the 55th minute

SUB- Samuel Lino- 6.9/10

He replaced Giuliano Simeone as a right wing back in the defence and assisted Sorloth’s goal during the end of the game.

SUB- Nahuel Molina- 6.0/10

He was brought on to replace Conor Gallagher in the midfield.

SUB- Angel Correa- 6.9/10

He came on to replace Rodrigo De Paul around the 68th minute of the game and assisted Marco Llorente’s goal in the 84th minute.

SUB- Alexander Sorloth- 7.6/10

The forward came on to replace Antoine Griezmann and scored the fourth goal for Atletico Madrid.

MANAGER- Diego Simeone- 7.5/10

The Argentine had a great game as he handled his troops efficiently. He tactically played well against Flick by sitting deep and inviting pressure. And when Barcelona seemed comfortable on the ball, the Rojiblancos pounced on the opposition.

The Sportsdunia man of the match award goes to Raphinha for his brilliant performance on the left wing.

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