Barcelona faced their toughest away fixture in the UEFA Champions League yet on Wednesday night, taking on Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park.
Hansi Flick fielded his strongest available lineup against the German opposition hoping to help his team bounce back from their torrid run of form.
The first 45 minutes in Dortmund saw Barcelona dominate the game to no end, controlling the play and dictating the proceedings with authority. They held the better possession and had the better chances.
Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona early in the second period but the hosts did not take long to equalise from the penalty spot after a Pau Cubarsi error.
Ferran Torres gave the team the lead again, but an Inaki Pena blunder saw the hosts gifted an open goal to equalize. The Spanish winger, however, converted a great chance late in the night to hand the visitors the lead and the win.
Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Barcelona.
Inaki Pena: 6
The goalkeeper did not have a whole lot to do in the opening period with the team’s offside trap effective, yet did sensationally well to deny Serhou Guirassy late in the opening half regardless.
Was poor for the second goal conceded as he over-committed himself and was beaten outside the box to leave the goal at Dortmund’s mercy.
Alejandro Balde: 7
The full-back enjoyed a decent game with positive involvements in the final third and much-improved concentration at the back. Was alert in the high line and did not slip up at any point in the critical game.
Inigo Martinez: 8
The veteran defender led from the front in defence and was a key part of ensuring that the high line was as effective as it proved. Was even more dominant after Cubarsi’s booking showing great maturity and understanding of the situation.
Pau Cubarsi: 7
The youngster had a solid opening to the game, holding his line well and keeping up the offside trap to perfection. Gave away a penalty close to the hour mark with an unwarranted push into the back of the Dortmund striker and helped Dortmund equalise.
Jules Kounde: 8
The Frenchman did not shy away from pushing front and linking up with the attack, especially with the team’s dominant possession and racked up dangerous crosses into the area himself.
Created the chance for Barcelona’s second goal on the night with a stunning cross to Fermin Lopez which eventually fell to Torres.
Marc Casado: 7.5
A run-of-the-mill performance from
Casado who is associated with consistency and unending energy at this point. Cut off Borussia Dortmund’s possession spells with his well-timed tackles and aided the back-line on the need to keep the hosts at bay.
Pedri: 7.5
A relatively silent game for Pedri in a playmaking sense but the youngster was still involved heavily in the buildup and distribution of Barcelona’s attack. Was heavily involved in defensive duties and was key in retaining possession.
Dani Olmo: 7.5
Olmo was much improved from his last performance where he went under the radar and ensured to participate more actively in the buildup. Was key in possession and completed 100% of his dribbles in the opening 45 minutes.
Pitched up with the assist for Raphinha’s opener, setting the Brazilian free in front of the goal with a well-timed ball into space.
Lamine Yamal: 8.5
Yamal created the team’s winning goal with a stunning pass. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
The youngster was the Blaugrana’s creator-in-chief with most lethal attacking transitions starting from his magical boots on the right.
Apart from trying to find teammates in the box, Yamal also attempted regular dribbles into the area himself and did not shy away from testing the goalkeeper.
Was key in creating the first goal and threaded a stunning ball to Torres for the team’s second goal at Signal Iduna Park.
Raphinha: 8.5
Barcelona’s most lively presence in the first half, the captain regularly attempted breaking on the counterattack and opening up the defence as he did against Bayern Munich and managed to get into some good scoring positions.
Unfortunately missed a sitter off a Lamine Yamal trivela assist in the opening period, yet was instrumental in dictating the play.
Scored in the 52nd minute off a lethal counter-attack with a precise finish, similar to his goals against Bayern Munich.
Robert Lewandowski: 6
A relatively silent night for the Polish striker against his former club as he struggled to get into shooting positions or behind the defence. Often dropped into deeper positions to get on the ball although he did not contribute half as much as he would have liked.
Ferran Torres: 8.5
Was at the right place at the right time after coming on to pounce on the rebound and score Barcelona’s second goal on the night. Held his nerve after receiving a stunning ball from Yamal to score the winner on the night.
Fermin Lopez: 7
Brought more threat on goal than Olmo and was instrumental in creating the team’s second goal as it was his acrobatic finish that eventually took a rebound and fell into Torres’ path.