Barcelona suffered their first loss since being crowned La Liga champions, falling 1-0 to Alaves at Mendizorroza.
Wojciech Szczesny – 6.5
Making his first start in six months, Szczesny performed reasonably well, albeit with moments of occasional inconsistency.
Jules Kounde – 5.5
Despite an opportunity to regain form, Kounde’s performance was again disappointing. Barcelona’s right-back position is a concern heading into the summer, as they can no longer depend on him.
Pau Cubarsi – 6
Cubarsi put in a satisfactory effort during his 62 minutes on the pitch.
Alvaro Cortes – 7
One of the few positives for Barcelona in their midweek defeat, Cortes was a standout on his debut. He looked exceptionally solid in defense, and his involvement in the season’s final two matches would not be surprising.
Alejandro Balde – 6
Similar to Kounde, Balde appears to be far from his peak performance level. However, he offered a decent defensive contribution in this match.
Marc Casado – 5.5
Casado had a chance to impress Hansi Flick for the remainder of the season, but this was another underwhelming display from the midfielder, who might be departing in the summer.
Marc Bernal – 6.5
Bernal played decently, though he will likely be disappointed to have lost the duel that led to Alaves’ winning goal.
Roony Bardghji – 6
Bardghji struggled to make a significant impact in attack. This match was an opportunity for him to demonstrate his potential as an effective backup for Lamine Yamal next season, but doubts remain in this regard heading into the summer.
Dani Olmo – 6.5
Olmo showed early promise in the first half but faded as the game progressed.
Marcus Rashford – 6.5
Barcelona’s attack appeared most threatening when Rashford had the ball, but he was ultimately unable to make the decisive difference.
Robert Lewandowski – 5.5
Lewandowski was largely anonymous. This performance further suggests that it may be the right time for him to leave Barcelona.
Substitutes
Xavi Espart – 6.5
Espart demonstrated more at right-back than Kounde did.
Pedri – 6
Pedri played the final half-hour but couldn’t significantly alter the game’s outcome.
Ferran Torres – 6
Torres found it challenging on the wing.
Joao Cancelo – 6
Cancelo made an effort to influence the game.
Tommy Marques – 6
Marques made another first-team appearance as a young midfielder.
English Translation:
Barcelona experienced their first defeat after clinching the La Liga title, losing 1-0 to Alaves at Mendizorroza.
Wojciech Szczesny – 6.5
Making his first start in six months, Szczesny performed adequately, though his play was occasionally erratic.
Jules Kounde – 5.5
Despite a chance to regain form, Kounde was once again disappointing. Barcelona will be concerned about the right-back position heading into the summer, as Kounde can no longer be relied upon.
Pau Cubarsi – 6
Cubarsi played well enough during his 62 minutes on the field.
Alvaro Cortes – 7
There were few positives for Barcelona to take from Wednesday’s defeat, but Cortes was one of them. On his debut, he looked very solid in defense, and it would be no surprise to see him involved again in the final two matches of the season.
Alejandro Balde – 6
Like Kounde, he looks far from his best level, but he was decent defensively in this match.
Marc Casado – 5.5
This was a real opportunity for him to put himself into Hansi Flick’s plans for the rest of the season, but it was another underwhelming performance from the midfielder, who might be leaving in the summer.
Marc Bernal – 6.5
He was decent, but he will be disappointed to have lost the duel that led to Alaves’ goal.
Roony Bardghji – 6
He struggled to make any sort of impact in attack. This was the kind of match for Bardghji to show that he can be an effective backup to Lamine Yamal for next season, so there will be more doubts in this regard leading into the summer.
Dani Olmo – 6.5
He looked bright in the first half, but he faded out of the match as it progressed.
Marcus Rashford – 6.5
Barcelona looked their most threatening when he was on the ball, but he could not make the difference in attack.
Robert Lewandowski – 5.5
He was anonymous. It certainly appears to be the right time for him to leave Barcelona, and this seems to be the reality for the Polish striker.
Substitutes
Xavi Espart – 6.5
He showed much more than Kounde at right-back.
Pedri – 6
Played the last half hour but couldn’t make much of a difference.
Ferran Torres – 6
Struggled on the wing.
Joao Cancelo – 6
Tried his best to make a difference.
Tommy Marques – 6
Another first-team appearance for the young midfielder.
