Raphinha 9, Olmo 8.5 | Barcelona 3-1 Deportivo Alaves: Player Ratings
Barcelona 3-1 Deportivo Alaves: Player Ratings and Match Recap
Barcelona secured a vital 3-1 victory against Deportivo Alaves at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday evening, in what was their second home game of the season. Despite a strong start in their first home fixture with a dominant 4-0 win, this match proved far more challenging. After conceding a goal just 45 seconds into the match, Barcelona had to dig deep to eventually claim all three points and temporarily move ahead of Real Madrid in La Liga.
While the visitors put up a strong fight, taking the lead early on, Barcelona soon responded with goals from Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and a late strike from Olmo again, sealing the win. Here’s how the Barcelona players performed in this thrilling encounter:
Player Ratings: Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves
Joan Garcia – 8.5
Garcia’s performance was a highlight, though he couldn’t prevent an early setback from the Alaves goal. Despite some shaky defending from his teammates, the goalkeeper was instrumental in keeping Barcelona in the game. His most notable save came while he was on the ground, denying Alaves a second goal and showing quick reflexes to keep Barcelona’s hopes alive.
Alejandro Balde – 8
Balde’s attacking contributions were exceptional in this match, particularly in his combination play with Raphinha, which troubled Alaves’ defense repeatedly. His overlapping runs and clever link-up play created several opportunities, and defensively, he was solid without being overly tested. Balde’s impact was undeniable as he played a key role in helping Barcelona turn the game around.
Gerard Martin – 6.5
Martin had a tough evening, struggling to adapt to the centre-back role. The versatile left-back was caught out on a few occasions, with his distribution leaving much to be desired. While he did set up the team’s second goal with a nice pass, his overall performance was lackluster, particularly in defensive duties. His inability to track back at times highlighted some of his weaknesses.
Pau Cubarsi – 7.5
Cubarsi was one of Barcelona’s more reliable defenders on the night. He did well to track Alaves’ counter-attacks and held the defensive line effectively, even managing to win some crucial tackles. Though not flawless, Cubarsi’s work in positioning and his solid distribution kept the defense organized during key moments.
Eric Garcia – 8
Starting at right-back, Garcia proved his versatility and played an integral role in both defending and going forward. Despite taking a blow to his nose, which caused him significant discomfort, Garcia held his ground and continued to press forward, linking well with Lamine Yamal on the right flank. His defensive awareness and adaptability were commendable.
Marc Casado – 6.5
With both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong unavailable, Casado was expected to step up in midfield. However, his performance was inconsistent. While he showed intensity in the defensive phase, his distribution was often erratic, and his decision-making left much to be desired. Casado’s inability to control the ball at times limited his overall effectiveness.
Marc Bernal – 6.5
Making his first start in over a year, Bernal had an up-and-down performance. While he showed glimpses of his potential, including a couple of clever passes, he struggled to find his rhythm in possession and defensively. His performance was far from perfect, but it was a decent showing given the circumstances.
Dani Olmo – 8.5
Olmo was one of Barcelona’s standout performers in this match. Playing in the half-spaces, he was influential in linking up with both Raphinha and Yamal. Olmo scored the crucial second goal, finishing well to put Barcelona ahead, and sealed the win with a late strike to make it 3-1. His composure and intelligence on the ball were key factors in Barcelona’s victory.
Lamine Yamal – 8.5
The young winger was a bright spark for Barcelona throughout the match. Yamal was fearless, taking on defenders with confidence and making smart runs in behind Alaves’ defense. He scored Barcelona’s equalizer with a calm finish but later missed a golden opportunity, trying to do too much when he could have scored. Nevertheless, his overall contribution was impressive, and his link-up play with Olmo and Raphinha showed his growing maturity.
Robert Lewandowski – 6.5
Lewandowski had a quiet night, struggling to make an impact in a match where Barcelona needed him to be more clinical. The Polish striker failed to get into dangerous positions and was often beaten in one-on-one situations. His touch let him down on a few occasions, and he missed chances that a player of his quality would usually convert.
Raphinha – 9
Raphinha’s return to the starting lineup was a breath of fresh air for Barcelona. After a period on the sidelines due to injury, the Brazilian winger showed exactly why he is one of Barcelona’s most important players this season. Raphinha was electric on the left flank, providing the assist for Dani Olmo’s goal and contributing with several dangerous runs behind Alaves’ defense. His energy, creativity, and pressing game were key to Barcelona’s dominance in the second half, and his performance was pivotal in securing the three points.
Final Thoughts
Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Deportivo Alaves was a much-needed victory that allowed them to temporarily leapfrog Real Madrid in the La Liga standings. Despite a shaky start and an early goal conceded, the Catalans showed resilience and quality to turn the game around. Raphinha’s dynamic performance and Dani Olmo’s composure in front of goal were standout moments in what was a hard-fought match.
While there were some defensive lapses—particularly in the opening minutes—Barcelona’s attacking play was fluid, and the team’s ability to create chances ultimately saw them through. Xavi will be pleased with the result but will look for greater consistency and defensive solidity as the season progresses.
Half-Time Stats
- Possession: Barcelona 63% / Alaves 37%
- Shots: Barcelona 8 / Alaves 2
- Big Chances: Barcelona 3 / Alaves 1
Full-Time Stats
- Possession: Barcelona 60% / Alaves 40%
- Shots: Barcelona 16 / Alaves 6
- Big Chances: Barcelona 5 / Alaves 2
