Barcelona

Barcelona player ratings vs Girona: Misfiring Robert Lewandowski has an off-day in DRAB goalless derby

Thomas Hindle
Last updated
Comments (0)
Lewandowski Barcelona Girona LaLiga 2022-23
Getty Images
Barcelona were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw after a dire attacking performance against mid-table Catalan rivals Girona on Monday night.

Robert Lewandowski missed a handful of chances and Barcelona turned in a tepid showing against their regional rivals Girona on Monday evening, failing to score for the second straight home game in the goalless draw.

The Bluagrana had their share of chances in the opening period, with Ronald Araujo seeing a flick cleared off the line and a Girona mix-up almost leading to an own goal.

Girona should have gone up early in the second half after Taty Castellanos ran through on goal, but he curled his shot wide of the post. His miss was the best chance of a forgettable second half, with a lifeless Barca struggling to create against their dogged visitors.

Lewandowski tried to change things, but missed twice and failed to shoot on a third occasion, lacking the bite that has lifted his side so often this year.

Barcelona extended their lead over Real Madrid to 13 points here, and will still win the league - but nights like this don't exactly inspire confidence in the Xavi project.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Camp Nou...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
    Getty

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Marc-Andre ter Stegen (5/10):

    Took goal-kicks and shouted at his teammates. No saves to make.

    Jules Kounde (4/10):

    A really disappointing showing. Lacked intensity going forward, and had the odd shaky moment at the back.

    Ronald Araujo (7/10):

    Typically excellent defensively. Thought he'd scored in the first half, but his shot was cleared off the line.

    Eric Garcia (5/10):

    Handed a start at centre-back after a poor couple of showings from Marcos Alonso. Passed well, but was never convincing off the ball.

    Alejandro Balde (6/10):

    Fast, tricky, adventurous. Still lacks a bit of quality in the final third, though.

  2. Midfield

    Gavi (5/10):

    He loves the running and scrappy stuff, but Gavi isn't consistent enough as a creative influence. That was the case here.

    Sergio Busquets (7/10):

    Barcelona's best midfielder on the night in a 0-0 draw, which says more about the game than it does the ageing Spaniard.

    Sergi Roberto (4/10):

    Sloppy in his passing, unreliable in his decision-making. Subbed at the break after a disappointing 45 minutes.

  4. Attack
    Getty

    Attack

    Raphinha (5/10):

    Exciting on the run, but out of ideas when he's slowed down. Put a couple of shots on goal, failed to provide the necessary service for Lewandowski. Immensely frustrating sometimes.

    Robert Lewandowski (4/10):

    Curled one over in the first half, delayed when he really should've taken on a shot in the second. Tried an ill-advised backheel in the 96th minute. A few loose touches and slow reactions summed up a miserable evening.

    Ansu Fati (6/10):

    Handed another start and seems to be getting sharper. Still miles off from his former self, though.

  5. Subs & Manager

    Franck Kessie (6/10):

    A half-time substitute. Didn't quite find his way into the game.

    Ferran Torres (5/10):

    Replaced Fati with 25 minutes left. Took loads of corners and lost the ball a few times.

    Jordi Alba (5/10):

    Brought on to play left-wing, which wasn't particularly inspiring.

    Xavi (4/10):

    Reverted back to a 4-3-3 and kept faith in Ansu Fati. Barcelona were a mixed bag in the first half, with Araujo having a shot cleared off the line and Girona almost putting one into their own net. But his side didn't create consistently enough, and were left frustrated on the night.