Barcelona

Barcelona player ratings vs Atletico Madrid: Ferran Torres silences the critics amid more misery for Robert Lewandowski

Thomas Hindle
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Ferran Torres Barcelona 2022-23
The Spain international netted the only goal of the game as Xavi's side got back to winning ways and moved closer to sealing the Liga title

Ferran Torres bagged the game's only goal while Robert Lewandowski missed a litany of chances in a mixed attacking showing for Barcelona as they held off an expansive Atletico Madrid in a 1-0 win at Camp Nou.

Torres broke the deadlock after a cagey first half, as Raphinha darted down the wing before cutting it back to the wide-open Spain forward, who had too much time to simply pass the ball into the bottom corner.

But they should have really killed the game at the other end. Gavi fluffed his lines twice, Lewandowski missed a handful of chances, and Raphinha somehow couldn't finish from three yards out.

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For all of their attacking struggles, Barcelona got their goal and kept Atleti relatively quiet. La Liga is all-but won, but they've still got to pick up the points, and they did that here.

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

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Marc-Andre ter Stegen (7/10):

    Made a couple of impressive saves to deny Griezmann. Clean sheet number 23 of the season.

    Jules Kounde (6/10):

    Didn't deal with Yannick Carrasco particularly well. A showing that questioned whether he should be a right-back long-term.

    Ronald Araujo (8/10):

    Another solid performance. Quick, powerful, comfortable on the ball. One of the best in the world at the moment.

    Marcos Alonso (6/10):

    Preferred over Garcia at centre-back. Missed a few tackles, didn't cover Balde particularly well. Far from convincing. They miss Christensen.

    Alejandro Balde (7/10):

    Given a lot of room to get forward, put a few dangerous deliveries in. Improving with every game.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Gavi (5/10):

    Missed two big chances in the second half. Not particularly good on the ball. The typical fight was there, as well as an obligatory yellow card.

    Sergio Busquets (7/10):

    Caught in transition once or twice, but was otherwise his usual sturdy self.

    Frenkie de Jong (7/10):

    A welcome return to the XI after a month out. Provided the midfield composure Barca have badly missed in recent weeks.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Raphinha (6/10):

    Assisted Torres with a wonderful dribble and pass. Was an eager, if uninspiring, runner throughout. Will surely lose his spot when Ousmane Dembele returns.

    Robert Lewandwoski (4/10):

    Not happening for him at the moment. Tried to do too much, missed an easy chance with Jan Oblak floundering, and saw a couple of shots saved, too.

    Ferran Torres (8/10):

    Initially a puzzling selection - one sure to leave Ansu Fati disappointed - but proved the detractors wrong by opening the scoring. A solid hour, understandably angry to be subbed.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Pedri (7/10):

    Back after 11 matches out. Barca are so much better when he's on the pitch.

    Eric Garcia (5/10):

    Introduced for Alonso. Picked up a silly yellow, looked nervy at the back.

    Franck Kessie (6/10):

    Ten minutes of midfield physicality.

    Ansu Fati (N/A):

    No time to make an impact.

    Xavi (8/10):

    Handed a surprise start to Torres, but it paid off. The winger scored and turned in his best showing in months. His side played some good stuff, but their finishing was lacking. Still, three points and more space atop La Liga is cause for happiness.