Barcelona took charge of the Catalan derby with a stunning 3-1 win over Espanyol, thanks to a first-half masterclass from Dani Olmo, Raphinha, and young star Lamine Yamal. The Blaugrana’s electric start set the tone, with Olmo netting twice and Raphinha chipping in with a goal to seal three points and maintain their spot at the top of La Liga. Here’s how each player fared in this thrilling matchup.
Goalkeeper & Defense
• Inaki Pena (6/10): Had little to do apart from a key save against Puado but couldn’t do much to stop Espanyol’s lone goal.
• Hector Fort (7/10): Displayed great energy on the right flank, putting in strong tackles and making some impactful forward runs.
• Inigo Martinez (6/10): Steady at the back but occasionally exposed by Barcelona’s high line.
• Pau Cubarsi (7/10): Commanding performance with a critical goal-saving tackle on Kral in the second half.
• Alejandro Balde (5/10): Struggled defensively, losing his marker on Espanyol’s goal and was often caught out by balls over the top.
Midfield
• Marc Casado (8/10): Ran the show from midfield, breaking up Espanyol’s play and maintaining control. Subbed off after a dominating 60 minutes.
• Pedri (7/10): Efficient as always, managing the tempo of the game and adding composure when Barcelona needed it.
• Dani Olmo (9/10): Outstanding performance with two goals—one from close range and one from distance—showing off his attacking prowess and creativity.
Attack
• Lamine Yamal (8/10): The 17-year-old sensation provided a beautiful outside-of-the-boot assist for Olmo’s opener, terrorizing Espanyol’s backline throughout.
• Robert Lewandowski (6/10): Worked hard off the ball and created space for his teammates, but had a quieter outing by his standards.
• Raphinha (7/10): Continued his fine form with a cheeky chipped goal and tireless pressing off the ball.
Subs & Manager
• Fermin Lopez (6/10): Brought energy to the midfield but couldn’t match Olmo’s influence.
• Frenkie De Jong (6/10): Added stability after Casado’s substitution, ensuring Barca kept possession.
• Jules Kounde (6/10): Provided defensive assurance but had limited impact.
• Gavi (N/A): Came on late, with little time to make a difference.
• Ansu Fati (N/A): Had a goal disallowed in the final moments of the game.
• Hansi Flick (7/10): Masterminded a fantastic first half but will likely be frustrated by a looser second half that gave Espanyol opportunities.
Summary
Barcelona’s early blitz showcased their quality, with Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal stealing the show. Hansi Flick’s men looked untouchable in the first half, but a more vulnerable second half left room for improvement as Espanyol found space to threaten. With this win, Barca keeps their momentum strong at the top of La Liga.
