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After two years of successive heartbreak in Europe, Barcelona got their 23/24 Champions League campaign underway tonight against Royal Antwerp.
In matchday one of the group stages, the Catalans turned on the style and got off to a wonderful start with a resounding 5-0 win against the Belgians to follow up their wonderful result against Real Betis.
The first half was a show of the kind of fluid attacking football that Barcelona fans have been hoping and praying for over the last few years.
Their Champions League season could not have gotten off to a better start, but they cannot lose focus, because last season’s campaign also began on a high before derailing.
The Catalans must keep the momentum up.
Here is every player’s individual display from their European season opener under the microscope.
Marc Andre ter Stegen: 7/10
Calmly dealt with whatever came his way as he was largely untested for most of the game, but kept control of his box and distributed well from the back.
Joao Cancelo: 8.5/10
In his 50th Champions League appearance, Cancelo kept up his form from the Real Betis game as he acted almost entirely as an extra midfielder rather than a right-back, posing a constant threat going forward but always on hand to track back.
Won six duels and completed 84 out of his 86 attempted passes, and in general, he was absolutely everywhere.
Jules Kounde: 8/10
Another rock-solid showing from the Frenchman at centre-half. Recovered well when needed and kept Vincent Janssen comfortably at bay, as well as sweeping up a couple of counterattacks very well.
Imperious. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Andreas Christensen: 7.5/10
Kept up his impeccable partnership with Kounde as he marshalled his side of the defence and did not let much slip through.
Even managed to get forward in the second half as the Catalans assumed their comfortable first-half lead.
Alejandro Balde: 7.5/10
Balde continued to show his attacking threat bombing down the left flank…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-5-0-royal-antwerp-player-ratings/
Author : Aaryan Parasnis
Publish date : 2023-09-19 20:55:23
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