Elche vs Barcelona

Barcelona player ratings: Ansu Fati puts family controversy behind him while Robert Lewandowski ends goal drought vs Elche

Thomas Hindle
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Ansu Fati Barcelona celebrate Elche 2022-23
Barcelona's front-three were all on target as Barcelona put lowly Elche to the sword.

Ansu Fati bagged a rare goal after a week of controversy involving comments from his father, while Robert Lewandowski grabbed a brace to give a heavily-rotated Barca side a 4-0 win over last-placed Elche. Xavi benched a number of his regulars ahead of Wednesday's Clasico, and a makeshift line-up dispatched the home side to go 15 points clear atop La Liga.

Lewandowski, who didn't score for his club in March, opened the festivities inside 20 minutes, reacting first to a loose ball before guiding his shot through a crowded box and into the corner. He should have found a second shortly before the break, instead nodding over from five yards out.

Fati made it two early in the second half with a driven strike from outside the box - his first goal since January 19. Lewandowski completed his brace a few minutes later, before Ferran Torres curled one into the far corner to put the league leaders up 4-0.

The Blaugrana now have a 15-point advantage over Real Madrid, but all eyes turn to Wednesday's Clasico in the Copa del Rey semi-final.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Marc-Andre ter Stegen (7/10):

    A spectator until the 91st minute, when he made a diving stop to keep his clean sheet.

    Jordi Alba (7/10):

    Rarely challenged, but didn't make too many runs forward, either. A quiet night for a player who is now very much the second choice.

    Marcos Alonso (7/10):

    Pinged some passes, and let his centre-back partner do most of the defensive dirty work.

    Ronald Araujo (8/10):

    Won everything in the air. Seldom troubled. A very, very, very good centre-back, who might be Barca's most important player.

    Jules Kounde (7/10):

    Saw a shot blocked after making an incisive back-post run. Comfortable in possession, won his individual duels, covered well once or twice.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Sergi Roberto (6/10):

    Anonymous, for the most part.

    Eric Garcia (6/10):

    Used as a No.6, and played some good stuff early on. Not always positionally sound, though.

    Gavi (8/10):

    Did the scrappy stuff well, as usual. Assisted the third goal by winning the ball back and finding Lewandowski.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Ferran Torres (6/10):

    Overcomplicated things for 65 minutes, then scored a wonderful goal.

    Robert Lewandowski (8/10):

    Scored early for the first time in four league games, should have made it two just before half time. Made up for it by grabbing a second to make it 3-0. A welcome return to the goals.

    Ansu Fati (8/10):

    Returned to the XI after a week marked by controversy. Smashed one into the bottom corner from outside the box. The quality is still there.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Franck Kessie (6/10):

    A welcome run out ahead of Wednesday's Clasico, which he will likely start.

    Pablo Torre (6/10):

    Hardly touched the ball in a rare appearance.

    Aleix Garrido (N/A):

    Handed his debut after impressing for Barca's academy sides.

    Xavi (8/10):

    Went with a much-changed lineup ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final. Goals early in the first and second half justified his selection, although Barca didn't assert themselves on the game. Will be happy that Fati grabbed a goal, especially if Ousmane Dembele is to continue his spell on the sidelines.