Szczesny 10, Cubarsi 2 | Benfica 0-1 Barcelona: Participant scores

Barcelona’s second journey to Lisbon this season was as eventful if no more than their go to earlier within the marketing campaign.

The stakes this time round have been far increased and the target was to take dwelling a beneficial consequence forward of subsequent week’s return leg.

That plan, nonetheless, took a large blow when star defender Pau Cubarsi had himself despatched off in opposition to the run of play early within the opening half, lowering the guests to 10 males.

Thus started a interval of intense defence and occasional counterattacks for Barcelona as they saved the sport below management. Finally, Raphinha pounced on half an opportunity to provide his facet the lead with a marvel strike.

Barça Common brings you the participant scores from Benfica 0-1 Barcelona.

Wojciech Szczesny: 10

One among Szczesny’s best ever performances. (Picture by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Photos)

An enormous efficiency from the Polish goalkeeper who proved on the night time why he is among the greatest within the enterprise.

Started the night time with an enormous save to disclaim Benfica and once more got here up with a clutch save to disclaim Aturkoglu of their greatest likelihood after Cubarsi’s pink card.

Alejandro Balde: 8

The Spanish left-back largely saved Aturkoglu in examine and the flank in his management even after the setback. 

Was at his deadly greatest when it comes to development and dribbling and his reference to Raphinha served as the muse of so lots of Barcelona’s tried counter-attacks.

Inigo Martinez: 9

The veteran was put below severe strain after Cubarsi’s sending-off however did nicely to carry down the fortress and make sure the excessive line continued to be executed nicely.

Earned a yellow card for protest after being run over by a Benfica participant that he might and will have averted given the sport state of affairs.

Pau Cubarsi: 2

Cubarsi’s pink card modified Barcelona’s plans. (Picture by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Photos)

Cubarsi sabotaged Barcelona’s plan with an early irresponsible problem on Pavlidis, incomes a pink card with a suicidal resolution.

For sure, his second of insanity value the Catalans dearly as they have been in management and on target for a possible dominant win with him on the sector.

Jules Kounde: 8

A robust defensive present from Kounde given the sport state of affairs as he saved Schjelderup below management.

Did nicely to steadiness defensive and attacking duties and linked up nicely with Yamal within the closing third.

Frenkie de Jong: 8

Frenkie de Jong or Marc Casado was an enormous speaking level for Flick forward of final night time’s sport, and whereas the latter could have been a greater match for the opposition, the Dutchmsn did superb.

De Jong coated first rate floor defensively and added management to Barcelona’s midfield which was a lot wanted after the Catalans sacrificed a midfielder for defensive stability.

Pedri: 9

The star midfielder as soon as once more maintained management of the midfield and was important in countering Benfica’s press after the person drawback. 

Dropped again and defended deep for a larger a part of the sport however was central to any progressions and transitions to assault.

Dani Olmo: 6

The Spaniard earned a deserved begin after his heroics vs Actual Sociedad and made an excellent begin to the sport.

Sadly had his night time minimize brief and was taken off after Cubarsi’s pink card because the supervisor most well-liked defensive stability.

Lamine Yamal: 8

The teen shone down the suitable flank, taking up and successful dribbles in opposition to the Benfica defence earlier than and after the sending-off.

Served because the orchestrator-in-chief for Barcelona’s assault and even got here near scoring within the first half when Trubin produced a triple save.

Raphinha: 9

Raphinha scored the match-winning aim below strain (Picture by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Photos)

The Brazilian’s work-rate was off the charts, particularly with the workforce right down to 10 males for the higher a part of the sport.

He threatened to push down the left flank with tempo and set off rampant counter-attacks however his decision-making within the closing third was a letdown as he let go of a number of important possibilities that have been value their weight in gold.

Pounced on half an opportunity to attain a shocking aim in opposition to the run of play to provide 10-man Barcelona the lead in a massively essential sport.

Robert Lewandowski: 7

The Polish striker regarded to contribute as a lot as he might off the ball, monitoring again and even anchoring the play on want. Missed an enormous likelihood within the first half the place he simply needed to get convincingly on the rebound off Olmo’s strike.

Ronald Araujo: 8.5

Got here on to supply injury management after Cubarsi’s pink card and did nicely to stabilise the ship within the opening interval.

Was below strain within the second half as Benfica pushed ahead in numbers however held his nerve to maintain the workforce within the sport.