Barcelona took to the daunting area at Rajko Mitic Stadium late on Wednesday evening in a recreation that turned out to be way more aggressive than initially anticipated.
Hansi Flick didn’t underestimate the opposition and fielded a really robust lineup with few rotations in Belgrade and the primary half was extraordinarily tightly fought.
Defending deep in a low block, the hosts made it very tough for Barcelona to create a tangible risk. On the different finish, they regarded to exactly undo the offside entice and gave the Catalans maybe their hardest battle for 45 minutes.
Inigo Martinez opened the scoring however noticed the lead nullified when Crvena Zvezda pulled one again. Simply earlier than half-time, Robert Lewandowski put the crew forward as soon as extra.
Fast-fire objectives from Lewy and Raphinha after the break prolonged the result in a cushty three-goal cushion and put the outcome past doubt. Fermin Lopez added the cherry on the cake.
Barça Common brings you the participant rankings from Crimson Star Belgrade 2-5 Barcelona.
Inaki Pena: 7
Crvena Zvezda’s well-timed balls previous Barcelona’s defence tightly examined the offside entice and introduced Pena into the sport extra usually than he would have anticipated.
The teenager, nevertheless, didn’t supply an excessive amount of resistance.
Ought to have completed higher to cease the hosts’ opener as he was as soon as extra very far up his line.
Gerard Martin: 6.5
Stepping in for Alejandro Balde, Martin was the weak hyperlink within the guests’ defence and the focused level of entry for Crvena.
Performed Silas onside for his or her equaliser as he failed to remain targeted on the offside entice.
Was not adequate in assault as he frequently misplayed his crosses, usually straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Inigo Martinez: 8.5
A particular evening for the Basque defender as he opened the scoring for Barcelona with an ice-cool header and a well-times run early within the recreation.
Performed an equally cool and composed function in defence, ever dependable along with his distribution and in-game decision-making.
Pau Cubarsi: 8
The teenage defender was as soon as extra on the prime of his recreation and infrequently known as into motion on the Serbians’ rampant and sporadic counter-attacks.
Did effectively to get away from their excessive press and was notably spectacular in holding Maksimovic at bay. Was taken off within the second half after struggling a concussion.
Jules Kounde: 10
The best-back was tasked with marking Crimson Star Belgrade’s ‘little Messi’ and did an outstanding job in conserving the younger Serbian winger quiet.
Recurrently forayed into the ultimate third and showcased his nice understanding with Yamal.
Earned the help for Lewandowski’s second with an exquisite cross from the proper. Assisted Raphinha’s purpose minutes later with a surprising cut-back.
Accomplished a hat-trick of assists within the 76th minute to Fermin Lopez.
Marc Casado: 8.5
Casado put up a monstrous shift as normal and was everywhere profitable balls again for the Blaugrana.
Was outmuscled on a number of events by the opposition, however did largely effectively to remain tenacious regardless.
Frenkie de Jong: 7
The captain regarded removed from the chief one would anticipate on the sphere and slowed down the tempo of the sport.
Operated at a gear decrease than the remainder of the crew and was not practically adequate along with his passing vary which was overly protected.
Was not very energetic off the ball both and seemed to be the extra laid-back of Barcelona’s two gamers within the double pivot. Barely extra impressed after the break.
Pedri: 8.5
The teenager pulled the strings in midfield for Barcelona, beginning because the attacking midfielder for a change.
Mixed sublimely with Yamal, Kounde and Casado to make sure the Catalans preserve comfy possession and impetus.
Turned up at a complete new degree after the break as he regarded to open up the Serbian defence with each contact.
Lamine Yamal: 9
Yamal was Barcelona’s main attacking route by means of the primary half as he dictated the play within the remaining third along with his crosses and dribbles into the field.
Performed an instrumental function within the buildup to the crew’s second purpose.
Ought to have had an help or two to his title as he put up possibilities on a platter for each Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
Raphinha: 8.5
The Brazilian was not as concerned as he has been in current video games however was nonetheless within the thick of issues and straight concerned in Barcelona’s objectives.
Supplied a perfectly-timed ball into Martinez’s path to earn the help for his opener with a set-piece earlier than creating the prospect for Lewandowski’s purpose with a thunderous shot that clattered into the woodwork.
Fired a shot with a surgeon’s precision to make it 4 for Barcelona, placing the outcome to mattress.
Robert Lewandowski: 9
The Polish striker scored his 98th Champions League purpose on the evening doing what he does greatest – poaching within the face of purpose – and was on the proper place on the proper time to pounce on the rebound of Raphinha’s strike to present Barcelona the lead.
Missed a sitter early within the second interval that may have put Barcelona 3-1 up. Scored minutes later to exert the identical impact, getting on the tip of Kounde’s cross.
Fermin Lopez: 8
The teenager got here on in its place within the second half and put in an ideal shift with relentless strain. Scored the crew’s fifth purpose with a easy tap-in.
Dani Olmo: 7
Entered the sphere in its place earlier than the hour mark and did effectively along with his witty mixture play in tight areas.