Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
The ultimate match-day of the UEFA Champions League league stage noticed drama unfold throughout Europe with all 36 groups taking to the sphere on the similar time.
For Barcelona, it was a tough night time as they hosted Atalanta at house. They’d a top-8 place booked forward of kickoff however the goal was to overhaul Liverpool within the standings.
The guests have been the higher aspect for the opening 45 minutes as Barcelona lacked any sense of urgency in assault. They even took the lead by way of Davide Zappacosta however had it dominated out for offside.
Hansi Flick’s aspect took the lead shortly after the restart by means of Lamine Yamal and made it 1-0 on the night time, placing strain on the Italian aspect.
Gasperini’s males instantly responded by upping the ante however the areas they left behind gave the hosts a number of probabilities.
Finally, the guests pulled one again by way of Ederson with a shocking strike from exterior the field however Ronald Araujo restored Barcelona’s lead within the 72nd minute.
Mario Pasalic restored parity on the night time eight minutes later, sending the standings right into a frenzy as soon as extra and culminating the scoring on the night time.
Barça Common brings you the participant scores from Barcelona 2-2 Atalanta.
Wojciech Szczesny: 7
The Polish goalkeeper began Barcelona’s UCL recreation final night time and produced some gorgeous saves within the first half, one from contained in the field.
Nonetheless, his distribution continued to be extraordinarily shaky and a matter of concern.
Alejandro Balde: 6.5
The teenager was mediocre within the first half, doing nearly sufficient in defence and usually dispossessed within the ultimate third when he progressed the ball ahead.
But, was one in every of Barcelona’s gamers with extra involvement on the ball.
Eric Garcia: 6.5
With Pau Cubarsi rested, Garcia was the defender entrusted with increase play from the again given his ball-playing expertise.
Whereas he didn’t make any obvious errors, {the teenager}’s absence was felt on the night time regardless.
Ronald Araujo: 8
Araujo scored his first aim of the season. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
The Barcelona captain’s tempo was essential in defending towards Atalanta’s counterattacks and he got here out on prime most of the time together with his bodily presence.
Did effectively to maintain Atalanta’s opening aim dominated out for offside however was the get together at fault in enjoying them onside for his or her second equaliser.
Scored a thunderous header to revive Barcelona’s lead towards Atalanta from a decent angle.
Jules Kounde: 7
Kounde’s first-half efficiency was removed from his greatest as he comparatively struggled in defence and appeared out-of-sorts in his chemistry with Lamine Yamal down the appropriate.
Seemed much better after the break and had extra attacking contributions.
Pedri: 7.5
The Canary Islander was first rate together with his distribution however usually saved below verify by the Atalanta captain Marten de Roon.
Seemed more practical after the break with the impasse damaged and areas opened up in the course of the park.
Frenkie de Jong: 7.5
The Dutchman continued his string of constructive performances towards Atalanta final night time, forming a part of the double pivot alongside Pedri and holding up the play effectively.
De Jong was comfy in possession, made fascinating forays into the ultimate third sometimes and was alert to the opposition’s transitions and didn’t do a lot mistaken.
Gavi: 8
The La Masia star was strangulated between Atalanta’s two high-pressing strains and barely acquired any house to work with because the attacking midfielder.
Did effectively to carry on to possession when he might and dictated the transition play for Barcelona, though he didn’t get many probabilities.
Lamine Yamal: 9
Yamal broke the impasse with a relaxed end. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
{The teenager} was one in every of Barcelona’s brighter spots on the night time with probably the most attacking transitions and the few probabilities created all coming off his boots.
Had the group’s solely huge likelihood within the first half, however was nonetheless underwhelming by his astronomical requirements.
Opened the scoring for the membership early within the second half with a relaxed end, taking the ball across the goalkeeper and tucking it house.
Raphinha: 8.5
The Brazilian winger was one of many worst-hit gamers by Barcelona’s lack of a way of urgency final night time and didn’t get any areas to assault within the Atalanta half.
Had an opportunity late within the opening interval however couldn’t convert it.
Started the second half with an ideal cross to Yamal for the group’s opener and was extra concerned in counter-attacks.
Robert Lewandowski: 6.5
The striker created barely any menace on aim and was not concerned within the buildup as a lot as he would have preferred to given Atalanta’s excessive press and fast transitions.
Made a large number of a golden likelihood on the hour mark as he had simply the goalkeeper to beat however tangled the ball between his toes.
